Identification of fruit fly (Tephritidae) pupae parasitized by Hymenoptera parasitoids

Abstract

Abstract One of the major problems in orchards is the presence of Tephritidae fly maggots, especially in Mirtaceae species. Various biological control tools include the use of Hymenoptera parasitoids, which naturally control fly populations. However, identification of the host species of parasitoids is challenging, because only the puparium remains after the parasitoid hatches. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the host species of Hymenoptera parasitoids, through the puparium. Host species were identified by amplification and sequencing of cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA. The results of the present study show that COI DNA sequencing was able to reliably identify host pupae to the genus level, allowing the identification of the Anastrepha genus in this study. This suggests that this method can be used to identify agriculturally relevant host pupae, since this genus has already been described as a parasite of Campomanesia adamantium. Knowledge of the species that cause damage to crop, and their parasitoids is extremely important to study the biological and ecological aspects of these pests and their control. In this way, our results can contribute to the development of alternatives to the use of insecticides, reducing the use of chemical agents in crop production and minimizing the harmful effects on other insect species.