The role of Tetrastichus giffardianus Silvestri (Eulophidae: Hymenoptera) in natural control of Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Tephritidae: Diptera) and its temporal abundance in Sudan

Abstract

Bactrocera zonata is an alien fruit fly which was introduced into Sudan in 2012 and spread throughout the country, severely hampering the production and export of fruit and vegetable crops. Cataloguing indigenous natural enemies of pests, especially parasitoids, is key to successful biological control programmes, to mitigate damage and decrease reliance on insecticides. This study was conducted to determine the parasitoids of B. zonata in two orchards in Gezira State, Sudan from November 2015 to May 2016 and from February to December, 2016 and to determine their role in natural control of the pest. Three parasitoids emerged from puparia of B. zonata, these were: Tetrastichus giffardianus Silvestri (Eulophidae), an Aganaspis sp. (Figitidae: Eucoilinae) and a Psyttalia sp. (Braconidae Opiinae). Tetrastichus giffardianus was the most numerous parasitoid throughout the study period. The mean percentages of B. zonata from guava fruits that were parasitized by T. giffardianus for the whole study period were 13.7% and 13.2% with 3.1 0.3 and 2.8 2.4 parasitoids per puparium at Fadasi and Gazirat Elfil sites respectively. Data on the temporal abundance of T. giffardianus is presented. Strenuous efforts should be considered to involve the reported natural enemies of B. zonata in integrated management programmes for fruit flies in Sudan