Pathogenicity of different fungal isolates to the adult stage of the mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata ( Wiedmann ). [electronic resource].

Includes refernce.

Virulence of five different fungal isolates, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, T. harzianum, Aspergillus terreus, A. niger and Penicillium oxalicum was evaluated against the adult fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) to control or suppress its population before the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) in the field. Filtrate and three spore suspension concentrations (10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸ spored/ml) of each fungal isolate were applied to the adult flies (> 24 h. old). Some biological aspects such as adult survival (after 5, 10 and 15 days from emergence), female fecundity and male sterility throughout two weeks were studied. The results revealed that there were significant decreases (P<0.05) in the survival of males at all ages. Males were more susceptible than females (P<0.05). Moreover, the results indicated significant decreases (P<.05) in the average number of eggs laid per female per day throughout two weeks when T. longibrachiatum (10⁸ spores/ml), T. harzianum and A. niger (filtrate, 10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸ spord/ml) and P. oxalicum (10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸spored ml:) were applied to adults. However, significant increases (P4.05) were observed in the male sterility when T. longibrachiatum (filtrate and 10⁸ spores/ml), T. harzianum (filtrate, 10⁶ and 10⁸ sporesl/ml). A. niger (10⁶ and 10⁸spores/ml) and P. oxalicum (10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸ spored/ml) were used. Laboratory results revealed that the tested fungi can be applied in the field under controlled humidity for suppressing population density of the Mediterranean fruit fly by using the attractant-contaminant traps to transmit the fungal infection to the rest of the population.

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