Rearing methods of two braconid parasitoids used in the biological control of Ceratitis capitata

Abstract

A research work about the possibilities of carrying out the biological control of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, with exotic parasitoids has been started in Spain. For that purpose, two hymenopterous braconid species, the larva-pupal parasitoid Diachasmimorpha tryoni and the egg-pupal parasitoid Fopius arisanus, have been imported from Hawaii, maintained in quarantine facilities, and reared in laboratory conditions. The rearing methodologies for each parasitoid species and the results obtained are discussed.