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Attraction and defense: How do Carambola fruit flies use pheromones for courtship?
Bactrocera carambolae, or Carambola fruit fly, is a species of insect in the family Drosophilidae, native to Asia, particularly in Malaysia, southern Thailand, and western Indonesia. This insect was described by Drew and Hancock in 1994 and has invaded South America in recent years through the Indonesian fruit trade. It is listed as a high-priority exotic pest in the tropical fruit industry's biosecurity program and is designated as a quarantine pest in Brazil.
According to investigations, Bactrocera carambolae is a polyphagous insect that feeds on more than 100 different host plants.
Identification Features
In the confusing fruit fly family, Bactrocera carambolae is indistinguishable from other species of the B. dorsalis complex. These insects can usually be identified by their predominantly black thorax and abdomen with brown side markings; they possess a single yellow elytra located between the wing bases. Adult fruit flies range in size from 6 to 8 millimeters, and females can be distinguished from males by differences in the length and shape of their abdomens.
Life Cycle
Once the female Carambola fruit fly lays her eggs under the skin of the host fruit, the eggs hatch in no more than two days. Once the larvae hatch, they will begin to feed. After about seven to ten days, the ripe fruits will fall to the ground, and the larvae will then enter the soil to pupate. After about a week of metamorphosis, they will become adults. The entire life cycle lasts approximately 35 days and is affected by changes in temperature.
Behavior and Courtship Pheromones
Behaviorally, Bactrocera carambolae needs to release pheromones to attract females during mating. Males ingest a compound called methyl eugenol and convert it to a substance called (E)-coumarol, which is stored in anal glands and increases in production as they mature. Attract females.
The release of this scent not only attracts mates, but also serves as an effective weapon to repel predators, ensuring the survival of the species.
Ecological impact
Bactrocera carambolae poses a threat to the economy, environment and food security, and its infestation can lead to total failure of agricultural crops. Brazil is facing increasing economic losses from the invasion of the Carambola fruit fly, which affects several important crops such as papaya and mango. In addition, the invasion of this pest will lead to higher pesticide use, further affecting the health of the environment.
Prevention and control measures
Effective control measures for the Carambola fruit fly include biological control using the Amazonian Metarhizium fungus and wrapping the fruit to prevent the pest from laying eggs. Experts recommend wrapping fruit in paper bags or newspapers to significantly reduce the chances of egg laying. Additionally, bait sprays that target these pests offer a more environmentally friendly control option than blanket spraying of pesticides.
Understanding how Carambola fruit flies use pheromones for courtship will not only help us better understand this species, but also improve our efforts to combat this agricultural pest. Will these tiny insects become a more serious threat in the future?
