Evaluating the quality of the Mexican fruit-fly, Anastrepha ludens, as host for the parasitoid Melittobia digitata

Abstract

We investigated the presence of Melittobia digitata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its associations with its natural hosts in Veracruz, Mexico. The parasitoid was confirmed to be present and found to attack prepupae of Trypoxylon and Sceliphron (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae and Sphecidae, respectively) mud daubers as well as pupae of the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae). Since A. ludens is a very important pest of citrus and mango in Mexico and Central America, we evaluated, in laboratory experiments, the quality of A. ludens as host of M. digitata comparing the development of the parasitoid in another unrelated fly species (Sarcophaga [Neobellieria] bullata) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and in mud dauber wasps (Trypoxylon sp. and Sceliphron sp.). The Mexican fruit fly appears to be a good-quality host for M. digitata, and the results are discussed in the context of their possible interest as a natural enemy of A. ludens.