Effects of a Bulking Agent on the Protein:Carbohydrate Ratio, Bioconversion, and Cost-effectiveness of a Larval Diet for Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Although the bulking agent is categorized as 'inert', it could modify protein bioavailability and nutritional quality. In this study, the main goal was to determine if the bulking agent modified the protein:carbohydrate (P:C) ratio and bioconversion from diet biomass to larval biomass of Anastrepha ludens. The diet was altered only by modifying the type of bulking agent (corncob powder, coconut fiber, carrot fiber, oatmeal) added without changing the composition and concentration of the other components in the formulation.

Effect of larval nutrition on the hemolymph protein composition during metamorphosis of .

Few studies have focused on how nutrition affects the bioavailability and investment of protein during the metamorphosis of tephritids. Our study allowed us to observe how the type and particle size of the bulking agent affected the protein composition in the hemolymph of the larva and adult of . Results indicated that, true protein bioavailability and protein profile was greatly modified by the bulking agent and its particle size.

Attractiveness and Sexual Competitiveness of Males (Diptera: Tephritidae) Fed on a Diet Enriched With .

The West Indian fruit fly, (Macquart), is the second most important tephritid fruit fly in Mexico, infesting mango, hog plum and guava fruits. To control this pest, the Mexican government has implemented the use of the sterile insect technique (SIT), which involves the mass production, sterilization and release of flies. However, the laboratory males used in SIT are selected to a lesser extent by the wild females during competitiveness tests.

Big particles, best nutrition? Absorption and excretion of protein by larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae).

For purposes of mass-rearing fruit flies, nutrient intake through artificial diets is a challenge, artificial food content and processing should promote sufficient absorption and availability to ensure fly fitness. Bulking agents play an essential role in creating a quality diet, but its physical characteristics, such as particle size, may establish a better microenvironment for feeding and development. Currently, there is a lack of information about protein metabolism in mass-reared fruit flies.

Mass Rearing, Quality Parameters, and Bioconversion in Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) for Sterile Insect Technique Purposes.

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, has emerged as a major invasive insect pest of small and stone fruits in both the Americas and Europe in the last decade. Females oviposit in ripening fruit, and significant economic losses can occur. Control measures are mainly associated with the use of pesticides, but the sterile insect technique (SIT), an ecologically friendly pest-specific method, could be used against this species.

A Novel, Low-Cost Coconut Fiber Larval Diet for Mass Rearing Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Mass rearing fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha for the sterile insect technique involves the use of artificial larval diets that commonly contain corn cob powder as a bulking agent. Corn cob powder varies in quality, and larval diets that contain it can be reaching at high temperatures (>34°C), which subsequently has a negative effect on pupal weight and adult survival. In addition, corn cob powder is susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins, which can inhibit larval development and cause high larval mortality.

Generic Irradiation and Hot Water Phytosanitary Treatments for Mango Fruits cv. 'Ataulfo' niño Infested by Anastrepha ludens and Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The mango fruit cv. 'Ataulfo' niño is an underdeveloped fruit that has a split on the back and a pronounced peak, and among the current total supply of commercialized mangoes cv. 'Ataulfo', approximately 2% are classified as 'Ataulfo' niño, which are strongly infested by Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Anastrepha obliqua Mcquart.

Influence of Pupation Substrate on Mass Production and Fitness of Adult Anastrepha obliqua Macquart (Diptera: Tephritidae) for Sterile Insect Technique Application.

Tephritid mass-rearing systems require an artificial substrate for pupation. Pupation substrate characteristics influence the quality of insects produced. Coconut fiber, as an alternative to the conventional pupation substrate vermiculite, was evaluated for Anastrepha obliqua Macquart (Diptera: Tephritidae) pupation behavior (pupation patterns, distribution, respiration rate, and pupal weight) and adult fitness (adult eclosion time, flight ability, and male mating competitiveness).

The Effects of a Modified Hot Water Treatment on Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)-Infested Mango.

The Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), is a quarantine pest in mango (Mangifera indica L.) that can be controlled by using a hot water treatment (HWT). This treatment is normally followed by a 30-min hydrocooling (HYC) process that reduces the negative effects that the treatment has on fruit quality.