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In an attempt to control the mosquito-borne diseases yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika fevers, a strain of transgenically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes containing a dominant lethal gene has been developed by a commercial company, Oxitec Ltd. If lethality is complete, releasing this strain should only reduce population size and not affect the genetics of the target populations. Approximately 450 thousand males of this strain were released each week for 27 months in Jacobina, Bahia, Brazil. We genotyped the release strain and the target Jacobina population before releases began for >21,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genetic sampling from the target population six, 12, and 27–30 months after releases commenced provides clear evidence that portions of the transgenic strain genome have been incorporated into the target population. Evidently, rare viable hybrid offspring between the release strain and the Jacobina population are sufficiently robust to be able to reproduce in nature. The release strain was developed using a strain originally from Cuba, then outcrossed to a Mexican population. Thus, Jacobina Ae. aegypti are now a mix of three populations. It is unclear how this may affect disease transmission or affect other efforts to control these dangerous vectors. These results highlight the importance of having in place a genetic monitoring program during such releases to detect un-anticipated outcomes.

The increasing burden of dengue, and the relative failure of traditional vector control programs highlight the need to develop new control methods. SIT using self-limiting genetic technology is one such promising method. A self-limiting strain of Aedes aegypti, OX513A, has already reached the stage of field evaluation. Sustained releases of OX513A Ae. aegypti males led to 80% suppression of a target wild Ae. aegypti population in the Cayman Islands in 2010. Here we describe sustained series of field releases of OX513A Ae. aegypti males in a suburb of Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil. This study spanned over a year and reduced the local Ae. aegypti population by 95% (95% CI: 92.2%-97.5%) based on adult trap data and 81% (95% CI: 74.9-85.2%) based on ovitrap indices compared to the adjacent no-release control area. The mating competitiveness of the released males (0.031; 95% CI: 0.025-0.036) was similar to that estimated in the Cayman trials (0.059; 95% CI: 0.011-0.210), indicating that environmental and target-strain differences had little impact on the mating success of the OX513A males. We conclude that sustained release of OX513A males may be an effective and widely useful method for suppression of the key dengue vector Ae. aegypti. The observed level of suppression would likely be sufficient to prevent dengue epidemics in the locality tested and other areas with similar or lower transmission.

The increasing burden of dengue, and the relative failure of traditional vector control programs highlight the need to develop new control methods. SIT using self-limiting genetic technology is one such promising method. A self-limiting strain of Aedes aegypti, OX513A, has already reached the stage of field evaluation. Sustained releases of OX513A Ae. aegypti males led to 80% suppression of a target wild Ae. aegypti population in the Cayman Islands in 2010. Here we describe sustained series of field releases of OX513A Ae. aegypti males in a suburb of Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil. This study spanned over a year and reduced the local Ae. aegypti population by 95% (95% CI: 92.2%-97.5%) based on adult trap data and 81% (95% CI: 74.9-85.2%) based on ovitrap indices compared to the adjacent no-release control area. The mating competitiveness of the released males (0.031; 95% CI: 0.025-0.036) was similar to that estimated in the Cayman trials (0.059; 95% CI: 0.011 - 0.210), indicating that environmental and target-strain differences had little impact on the mating success of the OX513A males. We conclude that sustained release of OX513A males may be an effective and widely useful method for suppression of the key dengue vector Ae. aegypti. The observed level of suppression would likely be sufficient to prevent dengue epidemics in the locality tested and other areas with similar or lower transmission.

Introduction. This study was carried out in French Guiana, over ten years (1994-2003) by three institutions (SPV, FDGPC and CIRAD); it updates the current state of knowledge of Tephritidae (both Dacini and Toxotrypanini tribes) species present in this country. Materials and methods. The work was mainly conducted in inhabited areas (from the Brazilian border to the Surinamese border) where cultivated fruit crops are located. Specimens were obtained by adult trapping and fruit sampling in nearby orchards and at the edge of the rainforest. Trapping was done consistently for 10 years, while fruit sampling was a discontinuous activity. We present only the results for fruit sampling from three consecutive years (2001-2003) in which a total of 880 kg from 45 fruit species in 22 plant families were collected. Results. Twenty-nine plant species from fourteen plant families were found to be hosts of twenty-one Anastrepha species and one Bactrocera species, Bactrocera carambolae Drew and Hancock. During this period, no specimen of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) was collected in traps or fruit samples. We registered the main fruit trees which were hosts for B. carambolae and Anastrepha spp. Five hymenopterous parasitoid species were identified. Among them, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is an exotic species and was introduced into French Guiana in collaboration with Brazilian authorities (EMBRAPA) in 2000 and 2001 within the framework of a classical biological control program. Conclusion. Our data provide baseline information about the tephritid species of economic importance present in French Guiana and assist in developing potential future control programs of both the B. carambolae and Anastrepha species in the Amazon Basin. These preliminary results are discussed in the light of their implication for rainforest conservation efforts and also evolutionary relationships between fruit flies and their hosts. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Introduction. This study was carried out in French Guiana, over ten years (1994–2003) by three institutions (SPV, FDGPC and CIRAD); it updates the current state of knowledge of Tephritidae (both Dacini and Toxotrypanini tribes) species present in this country. Materials and methods. The work was mainly conducted in inhabited areas (from the Brazilian border to the Surinamese border) where cultivated fruit crops are located. Specimens were obtained by adult trapping and fruit sampling in nearby orchards and at the edge of the rainforest. Trapping was done consistently for 10 years, while fruit sampling was a discontinuous activity. We present only the results for fruit sampling from three consecutive years (2001–2003) in which a total of 880 kg from 45 fruit species in 22 plant families were collected. Results. Twenty-nine plant species from fourteen plant families were found to be hosts of twenty-one Anastrepha species and one Bactrocera species, Bactrocera carambolae Drew and Hancock. During this period, no specimen of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) was collected in traps or fruit samples. We registered the main fruit trees which were hosts for B. carambolae and Anastrepha spp. Five hymenopterous parasitoid species were identified. Among them, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is an exotic species and was introduced into French Guiana in collaboration with Brazilian authorities (EMBRAPA) in 2000 and 2001 within the framework of a classical biological control program. Conclusion. Our data provide baseline information about the tephritid species of economic importance present in French Guiana and assist in developing potential future control programs of both the B. carambolae and Anastrepha species in the Amazon Basin. These preliminary results are discussed in the light of their implication for rainforest conservation efforts and also evolutionary relationships between fruit flies and their hosts. Introduction. Cette étude s’est déroulée en Guyane française durant dix ans (1994–2003) grâce à trois institutions (SPV, FDGPC, CIRAD) ; elle apporte sa contribution à un inventaire des espèces de Tephritidae (Dacini and Toxotrypanini) dans ce pays. Matériel et méthodes. Cet inventaire concerne les zones habitées de la Guyane française de la frontière brésilienne à la frontière surinamienne et concerne les localités hébergeant des cultures fruitières. Les Tephritidae ont été obtenues par piégeage des adultes et échantillonnages de fruits autour des vergers et en bordure de la forêt pluviale. Le piégeage a duré globalement une dizaine d’année tandis que les échantillonnages de fruits ont été effectués de façon discontinue. Nous présentons les résultats de trois années consécutives (2001 à 2003) durant lesquelles un total de 880 kg de fruits, avec 45 essences fruitières représentant 22 familles, a été récolté. Résultats. Vingt neuf espèces fruitières appartenant à quatorze familles sont les hôtes de vingt et une espèces d’Anastrepha et d’une espèce de Bactrocera, Bactrocera carambolae Drew and Hancock. Durant cette période, aucun specimen de Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) n’a été capturé dans les pièges ou n’a émergé des récoltes de fruits. Nous présentons les principales espèces fruitières hôtes de B. carambolae et Anastrepha spp. Nous avons identifié cinq espèces d’hyménoptères parasitoïdes. Parmi elles, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) est une espèce exotique qui a été introduite en Guyane française en 2000 et 2001 en collaboration avec les autorités brésiliennes (EMBRAPA), dans le cadre d’un programme de lutte biologique. Conclusion. Ces observations préliminaires peuvent apporter des informations basiques dans l’éventualité de la reprise des programmes de lutte contre B. carambolae et contre les principales espèces d’Anastrepha dans le bassin amazonien. Ces résultats sont discutés dans l’optique de leur valorisation pour la protection des forêts primaires, mais également de l’évolution des relations insectes-plantes. Introducción. El presente estudio se desarrolló en la Guayana Francesa durante diez años (1994–2003) gracias a tres instituciones (SPV, FDGPC,CIRAD); contribuye a realizar un inventario de las especies de Tephritidae (Dacini and Toxotrypanini) presentes en dicho país. Material y métodos. Dicho inventario afecta a las zonas habitadas de la Guayana Francesa desde la frontera brasileña hasta la frontera sudamericana, concretamente a las localidades que cuentan con cultivos frutales. Las Tephritidae se obtuvieron mediante la captura de los adultos y el muestreo de las frutas alrededor de las huertas y al borde de la pluviselva. La captura duró diez años enteros, mientras que los muestreos de fruta se realizaron de manera interrumpida. Presentamos los resultados de tres años consecutivos (de 2001 a 2003), durante los cuales se recolectaron un total de 880 kg de fruta, con 45 especies de frutales que representaban a 22 familias. Resultados. 29 especies de frutales pertenecientes a 14 familias fueron huéspedes de 21 especies de Anastrepha y de una especie de Bactrocera, Bactrocera carambolae (Drew and Hancock). Durante este periodo no se capturó ningún especimen de Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), ni tampoco apareció en las frutas recolectadas. Presentamos a continuación las principales especies frutales huéspedes de B. carambolae y Anastrepha spp. Identificamos cinco especies de himenópteros parasitoides. Entre ellas, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) es una especie exótica introducida en la Guayana Francesa en 2000 y 2001 en colaboración con la EMBRAPA, dentro de un programa de control biológico. Conclusión. Estas observaciones preliminares pueden aportar datos fundamentales en el caso de que se retomen los programas de lucha contra B. carambolae y contra las principales especies de Anastrepha en la cuenca amazónica. Dichos resultados se analizaron teniendo en cuenta no solo su valor para la protección de las selvas primarias, sino también la evolución de las relaciones insectos-plantas.

The mating behavior of the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) is described, following release of wild virgin flies onto a field-caged host tree (guava). Sexual encounters and attempted copulations occurred almost exclusively from 0700-0900 hours and were confined to leaf nodes or the bottom surface of leaves, where males stationed themselves, often forming leks, and appeared to emit a sex pheromone which was attractive to virgin females. There were no male visitations or sexual encounters on green guava fruit, even though females, after mating, frequently oviposited there. /// En este trabajo se describe el comportamiento sexual de la mosca de frutas suramericana, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), en el arbol de guayaba, el cual fue cubierto por una tela para confinar las moscas virgenes. Los encuentros sexuales y tentativas de copulación ocurrieron casi exclusivamente entre 0700-0900 horas, principalmente en los peciolos en la face inferior de las hojas donde los machos frecuentemente forman grupos (leks) que aparentemente emiten feromona sexual la cual atrae las hembras virgenes. Entretanto, machos y encuentros sexuales no fueron observados en las guayabas verdes aunque se hayan observado hembras haciendo oviposición despues de la cópula.

The occurrence of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is reported in the eastern Amazon, State of Para, for the first time. The specimens were obtained from infested carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) and Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra L.). Rearing of Anastrepha spp., a lonchaeid and a parasitoid is also reported.

Honeydew melons and pumpkins were confirmed as hosts of Anastrepha grandis in Brazil. Fruits of either plant to be exported to countries with quarantine barriers or restrictions should be produced in Anastrepha grandis-free areas, or be disinfested after harvested.