Evaluation of Mass-Rearing Procedures for Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Simple low-cost techniques and equipment have been developed for the mass production of Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel). A new oviposition stimulant (papaya juice) and egging cage, stackable larval rearing trays, and larval collection cabinets were developed and tested. An artificial wheat millfeed diet was modified for use as a production diet by substitution of bran for wheat millfeed. An important finding during these studies was that dilution of oviposition stimulants (fresh pepper and papaya juice) with water increased egg harvest. During 1991, these procedures were implemented and increased production of B. latifrons pupae by 121% over previously published methods. The application of these procedures to the development of the sterile insect technique for suppression of B. latifrons is discussed.