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Dryad

Impact of irradiated Drosophila melanogaster pupae on the quality and population parameters of Trichopria drosophilae

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Apr 11, 2025 version files 998.08 KB

Abstract

Trichopria drosophilae is a globally distributed pupal parasitoid that targets various species within the Drosophilidae family, including the invasive Drosophila suzukii. The mass rearing of T. drosophilae is a crucial step in ensuring their successful application for field D. suzukii. control. The pupae of Drosophila melanogaster are currently used as a host for the mass rearing of T. drosophilae. The impact of utilizing irradiated pupae on T. drosophilae was investigated. Our results showed that irradiated pupae had a significant impact on the parasitism rate, offspring eclosion rate, offspring number, and female body size of F1 T. drosophilae, all of which were significantly lower than those in the normal group. However, there was no significant difference in parasitism rate, body size, offspring eclosion rate, offspring number, and offspring sex ratio between F2 T. drosophilae emerging from the two types of Drosophila pupae. Compared to F2, F1 had a significantly higher net reproductive rate (R₀, t49 = 19.07, P < 0.01), mean generation time (T, t49 = 146.26, P < 0.01), and doubling time (DT, Z = -6.20, P < 0.01), while the intrinsic rate of increase (r, Z = -6.28, P < 0.01) was significantly lower. Using irradiated D. melanogaster pupae provides an efficient method for the mass rearing of T. drosophilae and offers valuable insights into its potential effectiveness in field D. suzukii control.