Quality parameters of mass produced adult Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in 1998/1999
B.C. DominiakA, S. SundaralingamB, L. JiangB, A.J. JessupC and I.M. BarchiaB
A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 21, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia.
B Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, PMB 8, Camden, New South Wales 2570, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 26, Gosford, New South Wales 2250, Australia.
Summary
The quality parameters of Queensland fruit flies produced at the Camden sterile fruit fly production facility during the 1998/99 season were examined. Production with an average pupal weight of 11.0 mg was not positively related to egg hatch percentage and emergence parameters, contrary to results in the previous year. Heavier pupae were linked to lower flight ability of irradiated but not non irradiated flies. It is proposed that the 'bigger is better' principle probably plateaus below the 11 mg weight but was still apparent in last year's results with an average pupal weight of 9.2 mg. The week of production had a significant effect on pupal emergence, flight ability and egg hatch percent but not on pupal weight.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2007) 22 (2) 59-61.