Interspecific Competition Between Ceratitis capitata and Two Bactrocera Spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) Evaluated via Adult Behavioral Interference Under Laboratory Conditions.
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is considered one of the most invasive tephritid species. It has spread and established populations successfully throughout many of the tropical temperate regions, partially owing to the increase in global trading activity that facilitates diffusion of species. However, C. capitata has never been detected in China, even though some areas of the country have favorable climate and ample food resources. Historically, some researchers have hypothesized that the principal reasons for its absence are the defenses mounted by native Bactrocera species against C. capitata. We evaluated the modes and strengths of interspecific competition between C. capitata and two Bactrocera species (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and Bactrocera correcta Bezzi) by conducting experiments on behavioral interference between the adults of these fruit fly species. Under appropriate conditions, the two Bactrocera species showed a distinct advantage in competition for oviposition, noticeably suppressing C. capitata. Although no mating interference between C. capitata and the two Bactrocera species was observed, the role of interference competition in the prevention of C. capitata invasion is still worthy of being discussed.
Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China ( liuhui206218@163.com ; zhangcanmail@163.com ).|Guangdong Entomological Institute, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Guangzhou 510260, China ( houbohua@giabr.gd.cn ; 18922369378@189.cn ).|Guangdong Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China ( majmail@163.com ).
Hui
H
Liu
Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China (liuhui206218@163.com; zhangcanmail@163.com).
Can
C
Zhang
Guangdong Entomological Institute, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Guangzhou 510260, China (houbohua@giabr.gd.cn; 18922369378@189.cn).
Bo-Hua
BH
Hou
Guangdong Entomological Institute, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, Guangzhou 510260, China (houbohua@giabr.gd.cn; 18922369378@189.cn).
Ge-Cheng
GC
Ou-Yang
Guangdong Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center, Guangzhou 510623, China ( majmail@163.com ).|Corresponding author, e-mail: majmail@163.com.
Jun
J
Ma
D000818:Animals; D033622:Ceratitis capitata / Q000502:physiology; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D000071421:Life History Traits; D008297:Male; D033621:Tephritidae
Tephritidae; host recognition; interference reproduction; oviposition competition