Effects of Pupal Handling During Laboratory Rearing on Adult Eclosion and Flight Capability in Three Tephritid Species1

Abstract
Flies incapable of flight were detected in mass-reared Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), oriental fruit flies, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, and melon flies, D. cucurbitae Coquillett. Part of these nonfliers exhibited symptoms previously described as the droopy wing syndrome, whereas others exhibited symptoms previously undescribed. This flightless condition originated in the pupae when the pupae were sifted from the pupation medium. There was a critical period during pupal development that was sensitive to external disturbance which occurred between the initial 18 to 43% segment of the pupal period of each species, with the peak at ca. 33%. Low pupal holding temperatures adversely affected the eclosion rate of pupae sifted 1 or 2 days after pupation.

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