Rearing Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Abstract

In Hawaii, the egg-larval parasitoid Fopius (=Biosteres) arisanus (Sonan)(= Opius oophilus Fullaway) (Hymenotera: Braconidae) is the most effective parasitoid of its preferred host the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae). Other Hymenopterous parasitoid species introduced into Hawaii still exist but vary considerably in their distribution and effectiveness as biological control agents. Based on field observations of F. arisanus parasitizing medfly in coffee and oriental fruit fly in guava, we postulated that a strain of F. arisanus could be selected in the laboratory to be reared exclusively on medfly. We report the results of these studies.