Mechanical sorting of young Anastrepha ludens Tapachula-7 pupae, a host for Coptera haywardi, negatively affects sterile male quality.

The Genetic Sexing Strain (GSS) of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) Tapachula-7 (Tap-7) produces males emerged from brown pupa [used for the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)] and females from black pupa (a by-product) that can be sorted by a mechanical process. The early sorting provides young black pupae which were assessed as host of the parasitoid Coptera haywardi (Oglobin). This required an assessment of possible deleterious effects to A. ludens males (that emerged from the brown pupae). Our results demonstrate the host viability of the young Tap-7 black pupae. Nevertheless, A. ludens males obtained from brown pupae showed significantly reduced emergence (77.28%) and flight ability (63.33%). This negatively affected the emission of male signals for mating and, therefore, the competitiveness of A. ludens GSS used for the SIT. Our results suggest that there is no immediate alternative to the use of Tap-7 young black pupae as hosts for the mass rearing of C. haywardi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]