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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2023) | Viewed by 21149

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Dr. Sérgio M. Ovruski

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Guest Editor

Laboratorio de Investigaciones Bioecoetológicas de Moscas de la Fruta y sus Enemigos Naturales (LIEMEN), División Control Biológico de Plagas, PROIMI Biotecnología, CCT NOA Sur-CONICET, Avda, Belgrano y Pje, Caseros, San Miguel de Tucumán T4001MVB, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
Interests: fruit flies; parasitoids; insect biology and ecology; biological control; integrated pest management
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Dr. Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia

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Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Zoologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010900, RS, Brazil
Interests: fruit flies; natural enemies; biological control; ecology of insects; agriculture entomology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diptera, known as the “true” flies, is one of the most numerous and diverse orders of insects, comprising about 125,000 species widely distributed throughout the world. These insects play an ecologically relevant role and are of significant importance to humans. Just as certain flies act as pollinators, decomposers, predators, and parasitoids, others are vectors of human diseases and represent serious pests of agriculture, stables, and barnyards. Several dipterans are mostly involved in forensic legal investigations. This Special Issue invites the submission of original research articles and reviews to deepen the biological, ecological, and behavioral knowledge of this diversified insect group, and to cover management strategies for both pest and disease vector species. This involves a wide range of studies, such as life history, physiological aspects, reproduction, demographic traits, ecology and evolution of behavioral patterns, population fluctuation and dynamics, diversity, abundance, trophic relationships, host range and status, natural enemies, integrated pest management, and control tactics.

Dr. Sérgio M. Ovruski
Dr. Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

life history
population dynamics
behavioral ecology
insect physiology
plant–insect interaction
human–insect relationship
domestic animal–insect association
pest and vector species management
forensic entomology

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2759 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Population Dynamics and Parasitism Rates of Ceratitis capitata, Anastrepha fraterculus, and Drosophila suzukii in Non-Crop Hosts: Implications for the Management of Pest Fruit Flies

by María Josefina Buonocore-Biancheri, Xingeng Wang, Segundo Ricardo Núñez-Campero, Lorena Suárez, Pablo Schliserman, Marcos Darío Ponssa, Daniel Santiago Kirschbaum, Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia and Sergio Marcelo Ovruski

Insects 2024, 15(1), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010061 - 15 Jan 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1842

Abstract

Understanding the seasonal dynamics inherent to non-crop host–fruit fly–parasitoid interactions is vitally important for implementing eco-friendly pest control strategies. This study assessed the abundance and seasonal infestation levels of three pest fly species, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), as well as the related saprophytic drosophilids, and their natural parasitism in a disturbed wild habitat characterized by non-crop hosts in northwestern Argentina over 40 months. Juglans australis Griseb (walnut), Citrus aurantium L. (sour orange), Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindley (loquat), Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (peach), and Psydium guajava L. (guava) were sampled throughout their fruiting seasons. Fruits were collected from both the tree canopies and the ground. The most abundant puparia was A. fraterculus, followed by C. capitata and D. suzukii. Drosophila species from the D. melanogaster group were highly abundant only in fallen fruits. Spatiotemporal overlaps of different host fruit availability provided suitable sources for pest proliferation throughout the year. The populations of both invasive pests peaked from December to January, and were related to the highest ripe peach availability, whereas the A. fraterculus population peaked from February to April, overlapping with the guava fruiting period. The three pest fly species were parasitized mainly by three generalist resident parasitoids, which are potential biocontrol agents to use within an integrated pest management approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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13 pages, 1327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Genotype Combinations of Wolbachia and Its Drosophila melanogaster Host on Fertility, Developmental Rate and Heat Stress Resistance of Flies

by Natalya V. Adonyeva, Vadim M. Efimov and Nataly E. Gruntenko

Insects 2023, 14(12), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14120928 - 5 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1421

Abstract

The best-known effect of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia is its mostly negative influence on the reproduction of the host. However, there is evidence of a positive influence of Wolbachia on the host’s resistance to stress, pathogens, and viruses. Here, we analyzed the effects of two Wolbachia strains belonging to wMel and wMelCS genotypes on D. melanogaster traits, such as fertility, survival under acute heat stress, and developmental rate. We found that D. melanogaster lines under study differ significantly in the above-mentioned characteristics, both when the natural infection was preserved, and when it was eliminated. One of Wolbachia strains, wMel, did not affect any of the studied traits. Another strain, wMelPlus, had a significant effect on the development time. Moreover, this effect is observed not only in the line in which it was discovered but also in the one it was transferred to. When transferred to a new line, wMelPlus also caused changes in survival under heat stress. Thus, it could be concluded that Wolbachia–Drosophila interaction depends on the genotypes of both the host and the symbiont, but some Wolbachia effects could depend not on the genotypes, but on the fact of recent transfer of the symbiont. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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20 pages, 10582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Roles of Mating, Age, and Diet in Starvation Resistance in Bactrocera oleae (Olive Fruit Fly)

by Evangelia I. Balampekou, Dimitrios S. Koveos, Apostolos Kapranas, Georgios C. Menexes and Nikos A. Kouloussis

Insects 2023, 14(11), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110841 - 29 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1840

Abstract

The olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)), although a pest of major economic importance for the olive industry, has not been sufficiently studied with respect to the factors affecting its survival resistance to food deprivation. In the present study, we examined the effect of the interaction between mating status (virgin/mated), age class (11–20/21–30/31–40/41–50), and diet quality (protein plus sugar or only sugar) on starvation resistance in B. oleae under constant laboratory conditions. We conducted a total of 16 treatments (2 × 4 × 2 = 16) for each gender. Our results showed that starvation resistance in B. oleae did not differ significantly between females and males. The main conclusions of our study regarding mating status, age, and diet indicated that mated adults showed much less starvation resistance compared to virgins, younger adults endured longer, and the adults fed a restricted diet endured longer than those fed a full diet. A three-way interaction between mating status, diet, and age class was also identified and was the same for both genders. The interaction between mating status, age class, and diet also had a significant influence on starvation resistance in both sexes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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13 pages, 6384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Lactone-Based Insecticides and Drosophila suzukii Management: Synthesis, Potential Action Mechanisms and Selectivity for Non-Target Parasitoids

by Javier G. Mantilla Afanador, Sabrina H. C. Araujo, Milena G. Teixeira, Dayane T. Lopes, Cristiane I. Cerceau, Felipe Andreazza, Daiana C. Oliveira, Daniel Bernardi, Wellington S. Moura, Raimundo W. S. Aguiar, Ana C. S. S. Oliveira, Gil R. Santos, Elson S. Alvarenga and Eugenio E. Oliveira

Insects 2023, 14(8), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14080697 - 9 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1599

Abstract

Drosophila suzukii, an invasive insect pest, poses a significant threat to various fruit crops. The use of broad-spectrum insecticides to control this pest can reduce the effectiveness of biological control agents, such as the parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae. Here, we evaluated the toxicity of newly synthesized lactone derivatives on D. suzukii and their selectivity towards T. anastrephae. We used in silico approaches to identify potential targets from the most promising molecules in the D. suzukii nervous system and to understand potential differences in susceptibilities between D. suzukii and its parasitoid. Of the nine molecules tested, (rac)-8 and compound 4 demonstrated efficacy against the fly. Exposure to the estimated LC₉₀ of (rac)-8 and compound 4 resulted in a mortality rate of less than 20% for T. anastrephae without impairing the parasitoid’s functional parasitism. The in silico predictions suggest that (rac)-8 and compound 4 target gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels of D. suzukii. However, only the reduced interaction with TRP channels in T. anastrephae demonstrated a potential reason for the selectivity of these compounds on the parasitoid. Our findings suggest the potential for integrating (rac)-8 and compound 4 into D. suzukii management practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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20 pages, 23971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Insights on Antennal Sensilla of Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) Using Advanced Microscopy Techniques

by Larissa Guillén, Lorena López-Sánchez, Olinda Velázquez, Greta Rosas-Saito, Alma Altúzar-Molina, John G. Stoffolano, Jr., Mónica Ramírez-Vázquez and Martín Aluja

Insects 2023, 14(7), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070652 - 20 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1586

Abstract

Using light, transmission, scanning electron, and confocal microscopy, we carried out a morphological study of antennal sensilla and their ultrastructures of the Mexican Fruit Fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew), an economically important species that is a pest of mangos and citrus in Mexico and Central America. Our goal was to update the known information on the various sensilla in the antennae of A. ludens, involved in the perception of odors, temperature, humidity, and movement. Based on their external shape, size, cuticle-thickness, and presence of pores, we identified six types of sensilla with 16 subtypes (one chaetica in the pedicel, four clavate, two trichoid, four basiconic, one styloconic, and one campaniform-like in the flagellum, and three additional ones in the two chambers of the sensory pit (pit-basiconic I and II, and pit-styloconic)), some of them described for the first time in A. ludens. We also report, for the first time, two types of pores in the sensilla (hourglass and wedge shapes) that helped classify the sensilla. Additionally, we report a campaniform-like sensillum only observed by transmission electronic microscopy on the flagellum, styloconic and basiconic variants inside the sensory pit, and an “hourglass-shaped” pore in six sensilla types. We discuss and suggest the possible function of each sensillum according to their characteristics and unify previously used criteria in the only previous study on the topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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12 pages, 6107 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Provisioning Australian Seed Carrot Agroecosystems with Non-Floral Habitat Provides Oviposition Sites for Crop-Pollinating Diptera

by Abby E. Davis, Lena Alice Schmidt, Samantha Harrington, Cameron Spurr and Romina Rader

Insects 2023, 14(5), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050439 - 4 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2002

Abstract

The addition of floral resources is a common intervention to support the adult life stages of key crop pollinators. Fly (Diptera) crop pollinators, however, typically do not require floral resources in their immature life stages and are likely not supported by this management intervention. Here, we deployed portable pools filled with habitat (decaying plant materials, soil, water) in seed carrot agroecosystems with the intention of providing reproduction sites for beneficial syrphid (tribe Eristalini) fly pollinators. Within 12 to 21 days after the pools were deployed, we found that the habitat pools supported the oviposition and larval development of two species of eristaline syrphid flies, Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758) and Eristalinus punctulatus (Macquart, 1847). Each habitat pool contained an average (±S.E.) of 547 ± 117 eristaline fly eggs and 50 ± 17 eristaline fly larvae. Additionally, we found significantly more eggs were laid on decaying plant stems and carrot roots compared to other locations within the pool habitat (e.g., on decaying carrot umbels, leaves, etc.). These results suggest that deploying habitat pools in agroecosystems can be a successful management intervention that rapidly facilitates fly pollinator reproduction. This method can be used to support future studies to determine if the addition of habitat resources on intensively cultivated farms increases flower visitation and crop pollination success by flies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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8 pages, 537 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Rescuing the Inhibitory Effect of the Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus of Musca domestica on Mating Behavior

by Marissa Gallagher, Arianna Ramirez, Christopher J. Geden and John G. Stoffolano, Jr.

Insects 2023, 14(5), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050416 - 27 Apr 2023

Viewed by 2167

Abstract

Infection with salivary gland hypertrophy virus (MdSGHV) of Musca domestica prevents female flies from accepting copulation attempts by healthy or virus-infected males. This study focused on supplemental hormonal rescue therapy for mating behavior in virus-infected female house flies. The inhibitory effect of the virus on mating behavior in females injected with MdSGHV was reversed by hormonal therapy in the form of octopamine injections, topical application of methoprene, or both therapies combined along with 20-hydroxyecdysone. Infected females whose mating responsiveness had been restored continued to have other viral pathologies associated with infection such as hypertrophy of the salivary glands and a lack of ovarian development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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13 pages, 950 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Host Preferences Shown by Drosophilids (Diptera) in a Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Distribution Center Follow the Wild Neotropical Pattern

by Laís Barbosa Ribeiro, Carolyn Elinore Barnes Proença and Rosana Tidon

Insects 2023, 14(4), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040375 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1855

Abstract

Although drosophilids have been extensively studied in laboratories worldwide, their ecology is still relatively poorly understood. This is unfortunate because some species are currently expanding their geographic distribution and infesting fruit crops. Here, we investigated the relationship between drosophilids and potential plant hosts in a commercial fruit and vegetable distribution center in the Neotropical region. We collected discarded fruits and vegetables from this commercial center during two time periods (2007–2008 and 2017–2018). Resources were weighted and individually monitored in the laboratory. The drosophilids that emerged were identified, and the relationship between them and their resources was explored. From the 99,478 kg of potential hosts collected, we identified 48 plant taxa, from which 48,894 drosophilids of 16 species emerged. On both collecting occasions, drosophilid assemblages were strongly dominated by basically the same exotic species, which explore a broader range of resources, especially those of exotic origin, when compared to neotropical drosophilids. These results are concerning because the studied site, Along with other urban markets around the world, might be acting as sources of generalist widespread species that disperse to surrounding natural vegetation and contribute to biotic homogenization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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16 pages, 5091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stage Transitions in Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Implications for Forensic Science

by Amanda L. Roe and Leon G. Higley

Insects 2023, 14(4), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040315 - 25 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

Blow fly development rates have become a key factor in estimating the postmortem interval where blow flies are among the first decomposers to occur on a body. Because the use of blow fly development requires short time durations and high accuracy, stage transition distributions are essential for proper development modeling. However, detailed examinations of stage transitions are not available for any blow fly species. Consequently, we examined this issue in two blow fly species: Lucilia sericata and Phormia regina. Transitions for all life stages across all measured temperatures were normally distributed. Use of probit analysis allowed determination of 50% transition points and associated measures of variation (i.e., standard errors). The greatest variation was noted for the L2-L3, L3-L3m, and L3m-P stage transitions. These results invalidate the notion that largest maggots should be preferentially collected for determining current maggot population stage, and further call into question the relationship between intrinsic variation and potential geographic variation in development rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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19 pages, 3025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implications of the Niche Partitioning and Coexistence of Two Resident Parasitoids for Drosophila suzukii Management in Non-Crop Areas

by María Josefina Buonocore Biancheri, Segundo Ricardo Núñez-Campero, Lorena Suárez, Marcos Darío Ponssa, Daniel Santiago Kirschbaum, Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia and Sergio Marcelo Ovruski

Insects 2023, 14(3), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030222 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2709

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms associated with the coexistence of competing parasitoid species is critical in approaching any biological control strategy against the globally invasive pest spotted-wing drosophila (=SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). This study assessed the coexistence of two resident pupal parasitoids, Trichopria anastrephae Lima and Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani, in SWD-infested fruit, in disturbed wild vegetation areas of Tucumán, northwestern Argentina, based on niche segregation. Drosophilid puparia were collected between December/2016 and April/2017 from three different pupation microhabitats in fallen feral peach and guava. These microhabitats were “inside flesh (mesocarp)”, “outside flesh”, but associated with the fruit, and “soil”, i.e., puparia buried close to fruit. Saprophytic drosophilid puparia (=SD) belonging to the Drosophila melanogaster group and SWD were found in all tested microhabitats. SD predominated in both inside and outside flesh, whereas SWD in soil. Both parasitoids attacked SWD puparia. However, T. anastrephae emerged mainly from SD puparia primarily in the inside flesh, whereas P. vindemiae mostly foraged SWD puparia in less competitive microhabitats, such as in the soil or outside the flesh. Divergence in host choice and spatial patterns of same-resource preferences between both parasitoids may mediate their coexistence in non-crop environments. Given this scenario, both parasitoids have potential as SWD biocontrol agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fly Biology, Ecology, Behavior and Management)

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