Parasitoid Diptera. Diptera of the Tachinidae family constitute a very numerous taxonomic group of parasitic flies, which control agricultural, horticultural, forest and fruit pests.
Summary
[ hide ]
- 1 Biological control
- 2 Bioecology
- 1 Reproductive capacity
- 2 Larva
- 3 Pupa
- 3 Innate habits of females
- 1 Requirements
- 2 Moment
- 3 Management
- 4 Transportation
- 5 In the field
- 4 Conditions for application
- 5 Source
Biologic control
Tachinids are considered very useful in biological control programs, since most of their species are exclusively primary parasitoids of other insects.
It is an important and cosmopolitan family of flies, in the biological fight of a wide variety of hosts of diverse orders of insects; preferred are immature and adult stages of Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Mantodea and Coleoptera .
Bioecology
Adult
In general they have dark colors, with chromatic variations in wings, antennas and abdomen. Adults of most species emerge in the early morning hours. They feed on honeydew caused by the secretion of aphids and mealybugs , flower nectar and vegetable juices . Intercourse occurs immediately after the emergence of adults; Males are the first to be born and can fertilize large numbers of females. The duration of the egg-adult cycle is frequent between 15 and 25 days.
Reproductive capacity
The reproductive capacity of adults varies greatly between species and depends mainly on:
- Ability to locate the host and the location of the eggs.
- Survival probability, risk of newborn larvae to reach the host.
Larva
The taquínidos possess 3 larval stages, that fulfill by definition within the attacked host. The average duration of this state ranges from 12 to 16 days. The oxygen requirement of larvae of these flies is provided by the formation of a respiratory funnel at the posterior end of the larva’s body, which attaches to the tracheal tube of the host.
Pupa
It has a sub-elliptical shape and presents little marked segments; the puparium is highly variable and is used as a systematic character. Most of them fulfill the pupal stage outside the host’s body, generally on the ground. The duration of this period varies between 8 and 12 days.
Innate habits of females
- Macrotypic eggs. They are visible to the naked eye, almost always attached to the epidermis of the host in the post-cephalic region. Example: Euphorocera, Voria.
- Microtypic eggs. They are very small and not visible to the naked eye, they can be deposited on plants, isolated or in masses of few or many eggs. Eggs are eaten together with the plant material consumed by the host pest and hatch in contact with digestive juices. Example: Gonia
- Pre-incubated embryos (larva) injected. The female of the Taquínido, possesses a powerful chitinized ovipositor (oviscapto), which introduces into the body of the host (subcutaneous) and deposits pre-incubated embryos
- Pre-incubated embryos (larva) removed from the host. These embryos are left by the female of the parasitoid in a nearby place where the host is; the pre-incubated embryo (planid larva) must crawl to reach the host and penetrate its body. Example: Archytas
Requirements
- Always apply in the cool hours of the day to avoid damage (mortality) due to the effect of temperatures.
- All treatment will be covered by an evaluation of the levels of the pest and the degrees of parasitism in the field, before and after release.
- It is essential to calculate the biological effectiveness of the weekly releases of the same by visual observation and egg collection.
Moment
- In the presence of the pest to be controlled, start the releases. Always perform no less than 3 consecutive releases of the parasitoid at an interval of 7 days to achieve its establishment. The dose to be used will depend on the characteristics of the pest to be controlled (mainly its biological cycle and biotic potential).
Driving
- At the production and / or distribution site. Until the distribution and / or sale are made, the containers containing the adult flies will be kept in cool places, with food. If the puparia are released, ensure proper isolation of the puparia (solid grease or insulating rubber) to prevent predation by ants or other insects.
Transportation
- It must be transported properly packaged and labeled. avoid exposure to heat and sun inside vehicles.
- If not released that day, keep in a cool place.
- Never wait several days for their release, as the insects could die.
In the countryside
- Keep them in a cool, shady place until release.
Conditions for application
- The parasitoid must be emerging or well emerged. This will minimize predation losses ( ants and other predators).