Side effects of toxic bait formulations on Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is considered one of the main biological control agents of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). However, the application of toxic baits for the management of C. capitata might exert side effects on the parasitoid. The objective of this study was to evaluate the side effects of toxic bait formulations on D. longicaudata. The food attractants Anamed, 3% Biofruit, 1.5% CeraTrap, 1.25% Flyral, 3% Isca Samaritá, 3% Isca Samaritá Tradicional, and 7% sugarcane molasses mixed with an organophosphate insecticide [malathion, 2.0 grams of active ingredient (g a.i.) L-1] and the commercial formulation Gelsura (2.0 and 4.0 g a.i. L-1 alpha-cypermethrin) showed high toxicity to D. longicaudata adults (>90% mortality) after 96 h and were thus classified as harmful (Class 4). Similarly, 3% Isca Samaritá Tradicional and 7% sugarcane molasses in formulations with the insecticides spinosad and spinetoram (0.096 g a.i. L-1 or kg) were moderately harmful (Class 3). In contrast, the food attractants Anamed, 3% Biofruit, 1.5% CeraTrap, 1.25% Flyral, and 3% Isca Samaritá Tradicional in combination with spinosad and spinetoram and the formulation Success 0.02CB (0.096 g a.i. L-1 spinosad) were classified as harmless (<10% mortality up to 96 h, Class 1). Additionally, these formulations did not reduce the parasitism and emergence rate of the F1 generation of D. longicaudata in C. capitata larvae. Formulations of toxic baits based on spinosyn are suitable for the management of C. capitata together with the parasitoid D. longicaudata.

Toxicities and Residual Effect of Spinosad and Alpha-Cypermethrin-Based Baits to Replace Malathion for Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Control.

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is the main insect pest of fruits worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and residual effects of the ready-to-use toxic baits Success 0.02CB (0.24 g of active ingredient [a.i.] per liter of spinosad) and Gelsura (6 g of a.i./liter of alpha-cypermethrin) and to compare them with other food lures containing spinosad and malathion mixed with hydrolyzed protein (Biofruit 5% and Flyral 1.25%), Anamed without dilution or sugarcane molasses (7%) against adult C. capitata in laboratory and greenhouse trials. Ceratitis capitata adults were highly susceptible to all toxic bait formulations (mortality > 80%) until 96 h after exposure. The lowest LT50 (hours) of toxic baits were 2.32 (Gelsura at 4,000 mg/liter), 4.26 (Gelsura at 2,000 mg/liter), 4.28 (Anamed + malathion) and 4.89 (sugarcane molasses + malathion), while formulations containing spinosad (Biofruit, Flyral, Anamed and Success 0.02CB) showed LT50 of approximately 11 h. Without rain, Gelsura (2,000 mg/liter) and all spinosad formulations provided mortality superior to 80% 14 d after application. Gelsura and Anamed + spinosad showed higher resistance to a 5-mm simulated rain, similar to Anamed + malathion, while the other formulations had its efficacy decreased. All toxic baits were effective on adult C. capitata in residual experiments without rain while Anamed + spinosad caused high adult mortality after 5 to 25 mm rains. Gelsura and Anamed + spinosad can be used to replace toxic baits containing malathion for C. capitata population management.