The sterilizing effect of metepa on Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)
Author of the article:ZHANG Xiao-Ya**
Author's Workplace:(Yichang Research Institute of Citrus Science, Yichang 443000, China)
Key Words:Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel); metepa; sterile effects; mating competitiveness
Abstract:[Objectives] To assess the sterilizing effect of
metepa on Bactrocera dorsalis. [Methods] B. dorsalis were fed an artificial diet containing 0.08-0.3%
metepa, and the effects of these different concentrations of metepa on egg
production and hatching rate were recorded and compared. [Results] Feeding adults
different concentrations of metepa delayed mating and oviposition by 1 to 2
days compared to the control group. All adults began mating at 9-10 days of age
and began laying at 11-12 days of age. The number of eggs laid and the hatching
rate decreased with increasing concentrations of metepa in the diet. A mixed
group of females and males fed a diet containing 0.3% metepa failed to produce
eggs. Sexually segregated females fed the same diet produced significantly
fewer eggs than the control group and their eggs failed to hatch. The Relative
Sterility Index (RST) of males fed a diet containing 0.3% metepa was 0.48, and
metepa seemed to
have no effect on male mating competitiveness. [Conclusion] A 0.3% concentration of metepa added to an
artificial diet acts
as a chemosterilant for B. dorsalis.