Hardiness, longevity, mortalities, and differences according to sex of adult oriental fruit plies, mediterranean fruit flies and melon flies subjected to a cold environment and deprivation of food and water¹

Diptera: Tephritidae.

²

The research studies reported herein were carried out at the Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Research Laboratory, Agr. Res. Serv., USDA, P.O. Box 2280, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

Abstract

The 3 Tephritids in Hawaii of economic importance, namely oriental fruit flies, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, Mediterranean fruit flies (medfliea), Ceratltis capitata (Wiedemann) and melon flies, D. cuourbitae Coquillett do not survive more than 2–3 days as adults kept at ambient temperatures (75°‐85°F) when deprived of sugar. When adults are deprived of sugar in a cold environment (40^oF) for up to 10 days (tests terminated) there are survivors at different age levels, depending upon periods of exposure. Young flies generally withstand food deprivation in the cold environment longer than older flies. This discovery has important implications regarding introduction and spread of new infestations. Theoretically, a gravid female might survive a trip in a cold storage area in the hold of a cargo vessel with fruit and start a new infestation when the fruit is removed and the adult female returned to ambient temperature at the ship's destination.

Key words:

• Oriental fruit flies
• Mediterranean fruit flies
• melon flies
• food deprivation
• water deprivation
• cold environment
• ambient temperatures

Notes

Diptera: Tephritidae.

The research studies reported herein were carried out at the Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Research Laboratory, Agr. Res. Serv., USDA, P.O. Box 2280, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804

Retired United States Department of Agriculture research entomologist. Present address: California‐Hawaii Medfly Laboratory, 205 Koula Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Present address: Atomic Energy Agricultural Research Centre, Tandojam, Pakistan