Fruit Flyer FFIPM Bulletin ISSUE 02 March 2021 - e-nema
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Fruit Flyer FFIPM Bulletin • ISSUE 02 • March 2021 Horizon 2020 European Union Funding for Research & Innovation
table of contents
4 editorial
6 the project
8 the interview
16 the research
21 news + events
This is the second Newsletter
Publication of the EU-funded
research project FF-IPM,
with the aim to protect fruit
production and trade from
threats posed by fruit flies.
The newsletter will be
published quarterly,
highlighting the actions, news,
progress related to the issue
at hand.
Editor: University of Thessaly
Contributors: FF-IPM partners
and experts
All rights reserved © 2020.
Editing & Graphic design:
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, stored in a database and / or published in any
R&DO Ltd.
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission
of the publisher.
2 3
editorial editorial
Dr. Nikos T. Papadopoulos, PhD
Professor of Applied Entomology
Director of Entomology + Agricultural Zoology Laboratory
University of Thessaly
FF-IPM Project Manager
Over the last six months, despite the One of the main,
hurdles faced due to the COVID-19
pandemic, the FF-IPM project successfully environmentally friendly, tools
concluded a series of important field
studies that set the stage for future that are considered to combat
developments. Additional data have been fruit flies (and other pests)
generated and technological and modeling
developments have progressed. in many countries all over One of the main, environmentally friendly, art of using entomopathogenic nematodes
tools that are considered to combat fruit against the soil-dwelling stages of fruit flies.
The first annual meeting of our project took the world is the Sterile Insect flies (and other pests) in many countries
place online in mid-October and included all over the world is the Sterile Insect We hope you enjoy reading the current
presentations of all work packages and a Technique (SIT). Technique (SIT). The International Atomic newsletter that we envisage, besides
thorough discussion on achievements and Energy Agency (IAEA) and especially becoming an important forum of
future plans. During this meeting, we were the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme, has had knowledge exchange and discussion,
pleased to host an interesting talk from major contributions in the development, to enhance the ongoing “relationship”
Prof. David Horta Lopes from the University whole evening, round table discussion promotion, support and implementation between our project and all of you who
of Azores, Portugal, who presented the regarding “New concepts and approaches of the SIT against fruit flies and other are interested in fruit fly research and
major findings of the European funded in fruit fly management in Europe” was insect pests. In the current newsletter, Ana management.
project “Euphresco” which addresses issues coordinated by the FF-IPM project within Larcher and Uli Shiefer discuss with Rui
regarding fruit fly management. This was a the premises of the TEAM meeting. The Pereira (the Head of the Insect Pest Control
wonderful opportunity to learn about the short introductions by Marc de Meyer, in the FAO/IAEA) a range of subjects from
Euphresco project activities and establish a Slawomir Lux, Josep Jaques, Ana Larcher the history of the SIT, to current important Our second issue is out! We
tight interaction with this group. and myself, stimulated a long and lively activities of the FAO/IAEA programme, managed to give you the latest
discussion that was highly attended. and the future directions, with particular news of FF-IPM and to put
Early in October, the fourth International
emphasis in Europe. you into the discussion of our
TEAM meeting, a major event for fruit fly The FF-IPM project was introduced to
research.
workers in Europe Africa and the Middle participants of the Annual Meeting of the Biological control of fruit flies is a topic
East, was successfully organized in South American Entomological Society that took researched for many decades but the use We want you to follow us and
France. The FF-IPM partners Marc de place from 15/11/2020 to 25/11/2020 and of entomopathogenic nematodes has not think how we can transform your
Meyer and Helene Delatte served in the of the 10th meeting of the fruit fly workers been extensively exploited. Our colleagues knowledge and your interests in
organizing committee of the meeting, of the Western Hemisphere that was held Arne Peters and Tolis Kapranas give a a fruitful discussion
chaired by Valerie Balmes. An interesting, from 2/11/2020 to 6/11/2020. comprehensive analysis on the state of the
4 5
the project the project
The Fourth International Meeting The programme of the symposium
consisted of plenary speakers and talks,
were made on: “Alternative to insecticide
applications”, “Area Wide fruit fly
of Tephritid Workers of Europe, grouped in nine different sessions, over
a period of five days, covering all major
management in Europe” and “The
economics behind fruit fly management”
Africa and the Middle East (TEAM) research aspects. In total, 36 presentations
(including two plenary talks) were given
by Josep Jaques, Rui Pereira, and Anna
Larcher, respectively. Those talks made by
throughout the week. Forty-four posters the FF-IPM project participants opened
were on display and the authors could the discussion and a debate around those
shortly summarize their findings and reply questions was steered by M. De Meyer and
to questions by the delegates during two N. Papadopoulos for 2.5 hours, with a very
poster sessions. This meeting also, for the large audience, that included the whole
first time, included explicitly contributions congress participants.
of researchers focusing on the wing-
Despite the difficult circumstances, this
spotted fruit fly Drosophila suzukii
fourth TEAM meeting was considered a
(Drosophilidae).
great success both by the organizers and
Furthermore, a whole evening session the participants.
was dedicated to a round table discussion
Although physical meetings do have
organized on the theme “New concepts several advantages and facilitate
and approaches in fruit fly management interactions and networking, having
in Europe”. This session started with five the option of a virtual attendance and
short introductory speeches related to the presentation increases the number of
FF-IPM project developed themes. A first people who can partake in the meeting.
talk presenting the FF - IPM project was Members of the local organizing committee
made by Nikos Papadopoulos, which was and the TEAM steering committee will edit
followed by an “overview of fruit fly IPM the proceedings of the symposium, which
in Europe and the TEAM area” by Hélène will be published in a separate open access
Delatte. Those well-known concepts were e-issue of the peer-review journal Fruits.
further discussed by Slawomir Lux through
his talk entitled: “Is IPM a valid approach for All relevant information will be made
fruit fly control in the European context?”. available through the Symposium’s website:
Then, three other short communications https://www.alphavisa.com/team/2020/
The Fourth International TEAM Meeting
was successfully held in La Grande Motte,
France from the 5th to 9th of October
2020. The meeting was organized by
researchers of French and Belgium
institutions including ANSES (Mrs V You can watch
Balmès and Mrs R Moutet), CIRAD (Dr H the FF-IPM Round
Delatte), INRAE, (Dr S Fellous), RMCA (Dr Table on our
M De Meyer), and chaired by Mrs Valérie YouTube channel:
Balmès (ANSES). The local organizing
committee together with the TEAM https://www.
steering committee organized this event youtube.
as a combined physical and virtual Hemisphere (TWWH) and Tephritid com/channel/
gathering. As a result, 511 persons from Workers of Asia, Australia and Oceania UCmOq5Svpilo_
more than 70 countries registered for (TAAO). Although not all registered PFSfo7_8toQ
the webinar, including several delegates persons connected, at least 365 delegates
from other regional fruit fly networks followed partially or entirely the meeting
such as Tephritid Workers of the Western throughout the week.
6 7
the interview the interview
Rui Cardoso Pereira Could you tell us about the history of
the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme and the
as well as livestock pests, such as the
screwworm and tsetse flies. In the past
Section Head of Insect Pest Control Insect Pest Control Section? eighteen years, the Section has also
in the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme advanced the method to combat human
Some of the current groups dealing with disease vectors, like Aedes and Anopheles
for Nuclear Techniques in Food and
agriculture, including the Insect Pest mosquitos. We also have a research
Agriculture, based in Vienna, Austria
Control Section, were established at IAEA laboratory that conducts applied research
in the early 1960s. The Insect Pest Control and implements Coordinated Research
Interview by Ana Larcher Section was set up in response to Member Projects (CRPs).
Carvalho and Ulrich Schiefer States’ requests for the technology
following the successful screwworm SIT The Joint FAO/IAEA Programme also
programme in Florida. provides technical backstopping to its
IAEA Technical Cooperation projects,
At the same time, the FAO had initiated producing manuals, standard operation
a unit in support of nuclear applications procedures, and guidelines to help
in agriculture. As there were increasing Member States apply the technology.
overlaps between the activities of the Our research is always demand-driven.
Vienna and Rome groups, the Joint FAO/
IAEA Programme was established in 1964, We also conduct research as part of
with the relevant FAO staff and resources Coordinated Research Projects. When we
in this area moving to Vienna. The IAEA identify a bottleneck, we bring together
already had laboratories working in scientists from all around the world to
nuclear applications at its Seibersdorf find technical solutions. Funding is made
facility, south-west of Vienna, Austria and available for scientists in developing
it was decided that the Joint Division countries, but we also support costs for
Director would be from FAO to balance networking or meetings to exchange
The interest and concern with agriculture are one The sterile insect technique (SIT) the allocation of resources from the two information and expertise. Together,
of the main motivations that guide Rui Pereira’s is an environmentally-friendly organizations. using the same research questions and
life, since his childhood, growing up in a small rural protocols, we try to overcome these
insect pest control method The Joint Division is unique in the UN
village near Coimbra in Portugal. He pursued this bottlenecks. For example, in Madeira
involving the mass-rearing and system in view of its research laboratories I participated in a CRP where female
interest throughout his academic life and went sterilization, using radiation, of a and Coordinated Research Projects
on to do a BSc in Agronomy with a specialisation attractants for Mediterranean fruit fly were
target pest, followed by area-wide (CRP), and because both FAO and IAEA developed and tested in many countries
in Plant Protection, and an MSc in Integrated contribute funds and staff salaries. The
releases of sterile insects over and are today used all over the world.
Pest Management at the School of Agriculture, work programme and budget are jointly
University of Lisbon [Instituto Superior de defined areas, where they mate
with wild females resulting in no approved by the two organizations every
Agronomia]. two years and an oversight committee
offspring and a declining pest What are some of the important insect
In 2005, he received his PhD from the University with representatives from both FAO and
population. IAEA meets once a year. pest control programmes that the Joint
of Florida, Gainesville-FL, USA, with a dissertation
FAO/IAEA Programme participated in?
on the sexual behaviour of the Caribbean fruit fly. Irradiation from gamma rays and
From 1994 he worked as head of field activities at X-rays is used to sterilize mass- In our section, we are working on three
the Madeira-Med SIT Programme in Portugal and, reared insects so that, while they What are some of the important activities groups of insects. One is in plant pests,
since 1997, as its Director. remain sexually competitive, they of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme in mainly fruit flies and moths. In the past
In 2007, he went on to work at the Insect Pest cannot produce offspring. insect pest control? three years, we have also developed a
Control Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme SIT package for Drosophila suzukii, which
The SIT does not involve The Insect Pest Control Section works is an emerging pest mainly in Europe
and, in 2017, became Section Head. He continues to help countries combat plant pests,
transgenic (genetic engineering) and the Americas. The application of
to work on applied research and support to field such as fruit flies and moths, and more
processes. SIT for Drosophila can be very useful in
programmes assisting several countries moving recently the Spotted Wing Drosophila
towards more environmentally friendly pest greenhouses. In Europe, greenhouses are
Adapted from: https://www.iaea. (SWD) and the European grape moth, mostly using biological control methods.
management and improved food security. org/topics/sterile-insect-technique
8 9
the interview the interview
When you have a pest and need to use We also work on tsetse; this pest was One of our main goals for agriculture results in poverty in rural
insecticides you are not just damaging eradicated 20 years ago from Zanzibar communities in low-income countries.
the environment, but you are jeopardising which is still free from it. Work is going is to expand SIT to In the region of Senegal where we are
all your biological control programme on in South Africa and Senegal; we working, tsetse is still not eradicated, but
because you are killing predatory mites, hope to be able to declare one region other insect species. strongly suppressed, so Senegal was able
insect predators, parasitoids, everything. close to Dakar as tsetse free soon. This to import cattle that produce much more
We are already testing in greenhouses and agriculturally important region is isolated milk than the local breeds, which are
doing some pilot trials. We also started from other zones in the south where the tsetse resistant but produce little milk.
work on Lobesia botrana which causes pest continues to exist. The increase of milk production by the
problems in southern America. We don’t So, one of the bottlenecks is to have a factor 20 has a huge impact and is a big
have to develop the technology from In the last 18 years, we have a group cost-efficient sex separation method for achievement already.
scratch, we have to adapt it to the new working on Mosquito vectors of disease. mosquitos.
species. We have been working intensively after These are some examples of successful
the Zika outbreak in 2015. With funding We are also working together with the projects.
Then we work in livestock pests. After mainly from the USA, as well as from FAO in supporting the International Plant
work started in the late 1950s in Florida, Japan and UK, and have been working Protection Convention (IPPC). We are very There is an interesting research paper on
in a few years the screwworm was on SIT for Aedes mosquitoes, both involved in the technical panel on fruit the socio-economic impact of the fruit
eradicated, first from all southern states of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. flies and phytosanitary treatments. There fly projects in Peru. It says that it is not
the USA and then in Mexico and Central They are major vectors of Zika, dengue, is a series of international standards that only the big farmers who benefit but also
American countries, and since 2004 as far chikungunya, etc. we have been supporting. This is the big the small farmers in areas that are under
south as Panama. Now there are talks that picture of our work here. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using
Uruguay might start to use SIT to fight the We have been also working to a less SIT or where the fruit flies have been
screwworm its southern region to stop extent on Anopheles, which is a malaria eradicated and that opened the doors to
spread towards the north. vector. We have been mainly working in What do you consider to be the most other markets. This indicates that the SIT
South Africa, which is the southern limit important contributions of the work of benefits also small farmers.
Just a few years ago there was a for malaria in Africa, and Sudan, which is the Insect Pest Control Section?
screwworm introduction in the Florida the northern limit, since in these regions
Keys again and it was successfully there are only one or two species of The most important achievement is How do you see the future of SIT in
controlled and eradicated using SIT. malaria vectors, making it easier to control the contribution to trade if we look at Europe?
using the method. The SIT is species fruit flies. Fruit flies are very relevant for
specific. In the central part of Africa, you trade because they can be easily spread In the last ten years a lot of cheap
have 10, 15 or 20 species that transmit the inside the fruits and can cause major insecticides disappeared as they can no
disease, so if you control one species, it economic damage worldwide. In 2015, longer be used due to stricter regulations,
will not effectively control the disease and in the Dominican Republic, a fruit fly so the need for SIT is there. The SIT was
SIT will not be effective. invasion caused import bans for fruits used in the past mainly as an eradication
and led to a drop of 40 million euros tool. Today it is much more used as a
One of our main goals is to expand SIT of exports to the US in nine months. suppression tool in specific areas. In
to other insect species. We are also Within months, through cooperation with Spain, for example, you can establish a
working towards developing genetic other international organisations and the low prevalence for fruit fly considering
sexing strains for mosquitoes to avoid Ministry of Agriculture, the fruit fly was SIT and then come with additional post-
the release of sterile females. We try to eradicated and the year after the exports harvest measures and reach consumer
develop strains in mosquitoes where we came back to the normal figures of about markets.
can easily separate females and males. If 60 million euros per year.
we release sterile males it is ok, but if we There is an interesting project on the
release females, even if sterile, they are If we look at tsetse flies, poverty is onion fly (Delia antiqua) but if some of
a vector as they bite, and this is ethically also very relevant. Tsetse kills people the farmers do not participate in the
not acceptable. In fruit flies, if you release and animals, where you have tsetse suppression measures for their fields
sterile females, they cause little damage, you have poverty. You have sleeping (area-wide approach), they are creating
and it is not a major problem. But with sickness, which is called Nagana when hotspots. This is one of the major
human diseases this is not acceptable. in animals. No meat, no milk, no traction problems faced.
10 11
the interview the interview
The SIT is more and more used against how it is applied and how it is managed. It What are the limitations of SIT? The SIT is not
the codling moth (Cydia pomonella), is very management intensive, which can
which attacks apples and pears. There be a problem. The SIT is not applicable for all species. applicable for all
are not many large cultivation areas for There are insect species where SIT has no
such production like you have for citrus When you have a situation where fruit role to play. I want to mention just a few species. There are insect
in Spain, but you have some areas like production is not mixed, but relatively relevant examples.
homogeneous, like citrus in Valencia or species where SIT has
in the valley of Trentino, where you can For example, locusts. We cannot release
combine the sexual confusion technique mandarins in the Neretva valley, where no role to play.
mandarins are 90% of the production millions of locusts that are contributing
with SIT. This combination of techniques to the damage. We cannot release
considerably reduces insecticide use areas and you have a product with a
high commercial value, SIT is highly Homoptera that are vectors of plant
and fruits can thus be exported to low diseases, because as adults they transmit
pesticide residue market. recommendable. However, if we go to
places like Madeira, where I worked, it is it. Another example is the European
It is more difficult to get area-wide extremely complicated, because you have cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi). Due to
programmes in Europe than in other a diversity of fruits, maturing one after the its dormancy, at the moment, we don’t
SIT is also management intensive and not
places. In Europe, we have a lot of small other, all year round. So you need to apply have a way to mass-rear the fly in the
always economically recommendable; it is
farms. We know that SIT works area-wide, control methods all year round, as fruit laboratory.
not adequate for all species and it needs
but if you don’t get everybody involved, flies are present all year round. It is much Recently the fall armyworm (Spodoptera to be applied in area-wide integrated pest
it gets complicated. For SIT to gain more more complicated. frugiperda) invaded Africa, and now Asia. management 1. If it is not in an area-wide
ground in Europe, there is a need for But, for control of the fall armyworm, SIT approach, it does not work. And it should
everybody to work for the same objective. In Turkey, we have encountered favourable
is not suitable, because the fall armyworm be combined with other control methods.
But this is more challenging when there conditions for SIT. Turkey is a big producer
moves up to a hundred kilometres per It is not a standalone methodology nor a
are thousands of farmers who need to be and exporter of citrus fruit and so we have
generation so the area to be covered silver bullet.
involved. a project under design. Economics play a
big role in decision making. You only can would be too vast and would not make
Getting governments involved may also go ahead with a project with a technical economic sense. Their larvae are also
be difficult. The issue is not technology. and economic feasibility study done at the cannibals, they eat each other when they What are the future areas of concern for
We know that the technology works. It is beginning. are in confinement in small spaces in pest control in the world?
laboratories.
The most relevant aspect is invasive
There are also differences in the context species. People are moving more and
that affect the success of the technology. more; backpackers and travellers are
If you go to a country and if you have transporting fruits. I am really concerned.
power failures twice a day, it is much We have seen how quickly Bactrocera
more difficult to work and maintain a mass dorsalis invaded all of Africa in 2003 and
rearing facility than in a place with rare
power cuts.
So, SIT is only feasible when it is 1 Area-wide integrated pest manage-
ment (AW-IPM) is a coordinated, sustainable
economically important and when
and preventive approach that targets entire
it is technically possible. Another pest populations. It aims at integrating envi-
consideration is the number of species ronment-friendly control measures such as
present: I think it is feasible to use SIT for the Sterile Insect Technique, to reduce loss-
up to two or three species. In southern es and insecticide use, and to facilitate the
California they have been using two expansion of international agricultural trade,
machines on the same plane to release while minimizing the further global spread of
Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies at some major invasive pests. Source: https://
the same time in areas where they have www.iaea.org/resources/book/area-wide-con-
outbreaks of both. Otherwise, it will turn trol-insect-pests-from-research-to-field-im-
the technology much more expensive. plementation
12 13
the interview the interview
spread all over the Continent in the Sub- Which invasive species do you consider However, the Covid-19 Bactrocera zonata displaces almost
Saharan region. most important? completely the Mediterranean fruit fly in
situation does not Egypt. If it arrives in southern Europe,
In southern Europe, we have seen an For Europe, clearly Bactrocera dorsalis maybe it displaces Mediterranean fruit
increase in invasions. This is linked with and Bactrocera zonata. This is clear. But favour invasive species. fly. It may be established, maybe not. The
the work that you are doing in the FF-IPM other Bactrocera are a potential problem risk is high, in my opinion. There is a nice
project. One of the objectives is to study as well. In my opinion, the third most Fewer people are
study that shows that Bactrocera always
in detail potential invasive species of important one, the melon fly (Zeugodacus moving, fewer fruits displaces Ceratitis because they are more
relevance. cucurbitae) that is now invading Africa as aggressive. The damage they cause can
well. are transported in be bigger despite the host range being
Of course, another aspect, that we
cannot avoid, is climate change. Pests Besides fruit flies, there have recently backpacks. not that different.
are expanding their range. For example, been invasions of mosquitoes in Europe Also, you have some markets that Europe
the Mediterranean fruit fly has started to related mainly to climate change. They are supplies, and which don’t consider the
appear more and more in Central Europe, now in the southern European countries; Mediterranean fruit fly as quarantine
we don’t know for sure if it is established in Portugal and namely in Madeira, this is pest, but if you have the Oriental fruit fly
or if it comes every year. They are causing very relevant. Anopheles was endemic in (Bactrocera dorsalis) or the Bactrocera
trouble in latitudes where they previously the Sado delta in Portugal in the first part zonata some trade barriers might go up.
didn’t.
How does the current crisis affect plant
protection?
It is curious because 2020 was the
of the XX century and then disappeared: International Year of Plant Health.
I will not be surprised if it shows up again
in some wetlands in southern Europe. For The Covid-19 pandemic has brought some
other species, I would not be surprised if constraints, for example on the shipments
the fall armyworm would reach Europe. of insects from Europe to Senegal for
the use of SIT against tsetse, and also
But where I have more background some mass-rearing of insects decreased
information to share is about fruit flies. or stopped. Some researchers, instead
Clearly, the Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera of having the insects in the laboratory,
dorsalis) is by far the one with the most are bringing them home to maintain the
potential and the most dangerous at colony and keep the research going,
the same time. The Oriental fruit fly was if possible. Field experiments are also
detected in Italy, in Southern France, in suffering constraints in some areas.
Paris, and in Vienna.
However, the Covid-19 situation does not
Bactrocera zonata is also coming closer, favour invasive species. Fewer people are
it is already in Egypt and Libya. It is moving, fewer fruits are transported in
not as aggressive as the Oriental fruit backpacks. Less travel, less international
fly. For example, Bactrocera zonata was movement, so there is less spread of pests
in Mauritius for many years, and it was this way. However, I don’t think that the
now almost completely displaced by supply and access to fruit is a problem
the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. since the regulated fruit trade has kept
Maybe in a drier climate is different, going.
because Bactrocera dorsalis seem better
adapted to the tropics. We want to thank you for this interview.
14 15
the research the research
free-living stage, can be stored for one
to several months. They are sufficiently
Entomopathogenic Nematodes Their suitability small to pass through standard spraying
equipment and they actively move in
for industrial mass suitable moist environments like the soil or
for fruit-fly control production is a major
galleries in wood, fruits, or leaves (Wright
et al. 2005). Soon after discovering the first
Steinernema species by Krausse in 1917 the
reason for the successful nematode Steinernema glaseri, produced
on an artificial medium based on dog-food,
commercialization of was used in controlling the scarabaeid
Entomopathogenic Popillia japonica in the USA in 1940. At that
time, the symbiotic relation with bacteria
Nematodes. was unknown and, subsequently, mass
production on artificial media collapsed
after a few cycles probably due to
contaminating bacteria taking over, which
did not support growth and propagation
Biology of of the nematode. The renaissance of
entomopathogenic nematodes using Steinernema and Heterorhabditis
started in the mid-1980s fostered by an
Both nematode genera have similar increasing public concern about the use
life-cycles starting with an infective of chemical crop protection products and
juvenile which vectors the symbiotic the widespread adoption of biological
entomopathogenic bacteria inside pollination and biocontrol in greenhouses.
the haemocoel of a suitable host. Since then, the market continues to grow
Subsequently, the bacteria multiply in rapidly at a rate of about 15% per year.
the insect’s haemocoel, the insect is
killed, and the nematode propagates
feeding on the bacteria. When the The use of nematodes
food in the insect cadaver is depleted, to control fruit flies
an enduring third stage juvenile, the
infective juvenile, is formed and leaves Fruit flies are important pests because
the cadaver if conditions outside are they cause direct economic losses to
suitable (i.e. sufficiently moist and of growers and also affect fruit trading since
Arne Peters & Apostolos Kapranas adequate temperature). The nematode many species are considered quarantine
and the symbiotic bacteria act together in pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly
Introduction overcoming the insect’s immune response or medfly, Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera
(Dowds and Peters, 2002). zonata and Rhagoletis cerasi. Fruit flies
Nematodes, if known at all, are usually regarded as a threat. Plant parasitic species in the family Tephritidae and to a lesser
cause significant crop losses every year. Other species infect livestock or pets and The suitability for industrial mass extend other families (e.g., Drosophilidae)
there are several species that cause severe human diseases. The vast majority, production is surely a major reason for spend a period of their biological cycle
however, are non-parasitic free-living species. the successful commercialisation of in the soil, as mature larvae (maggots)
entomopathogenic nematodes. Besides, fall and burrow in the soil to pupate
Nematodes have hence explored almost every food source including insects. It is they have a moderately wide host range or in some cases larvae and pupae
estimated that they recruit about 80% of all metazoan species worldwide. Among allowing for applications against a variety of overwinter in fallen fruits on the ground.
entomopathogenic nematodes, the rhabditid genera Steinernema and Heterorhabidtis different insect groups but still minimising The use of entomopathogens such as
have been developed into a powerful tool for controlling insect populations. adverse effects to non-target insects. entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi
The infective juvenile, which is the only
16 17
the research the research
against the soil-dwelling stage of tephritid studies have been conducted almost specific in this area and not commercially
flies offers an excellent opportunity for an exclusively in laboratory conditions. It available; for instance, Steinernema
effective management. The susceptibility is difficult to compare findings of these riobravae, Steinernema yirgalemense,
of C. capita to entomopathogenic studies mostly because there is enormous Heterorhabditis baujardi, Heterorhabditis
nematodes and their efficacy was The use of variation in the trial conditions; different noenieputensis seem particularly adapted
assessed early from the 1980’s (Poinar strains of nematodes of the same on medfly showing increased efficacy
and Hislop 1981; Lindegren and Vail, Entomopathogenic species, different temperature regimes, in laboratory and field tests (Gazit 2000;
1986; Lindegren et al. 1990). Gazit et al. different soil media and different dose Minas et al. 2016; James et al. 2018). The
(2000) conducted detailed laboratory Nematodes and Fungi of nematodes/density of larvae and/or same also holds true for different locally
tests comparing many species and pupae used. Nonetheless the majority adapted strains of commercially available
different strains showing that Steinernema
against the soil-dwelling of these studies have shown at least the EPN species (e.g., Mokrini et al. 2020).
riobrave, a species that is not cultured stage of Tephritid flies potential of using EPN for fruit fly control,
Therefore, whether and under what
commercially, leads to >80% medfly especially the steinernematids S. feltiae
conditions, commercial EPN species are
larval mortality. Since then there have offers an excellent and S. carpocapsae. In the field, few
effective for fruit fly control remains an
been numerous other studies assessing studies from Latin America have shown
EPN (entomopathogenic nematodes) opportunity for an promising results: Minas et al. (2016) using important and up-to-date research quest.
potential and efficacy in controlling medfly Heterorhabditis baujardi against C. capitata Furthermore, the timing of application
and other fruit fly species. Most of these effective management in guava, Silva et al. (2010) using H. indica and residual activity of EPN species
against medfly larvae in guava, Toledo et at different conditions should also be
al. (2005) using H bacteriophora against investigated, in every pest-specific
larvae of Anastrepha ludens in Mangos, context.
and Barbosa-Negrisoli et al . (2009) using Within the FF-IPM project, four
S. riobrave and H. bacteriophora in peach commercially available nematode
orchards. species (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora,
Other studies have also indicated that H. downesi, Steinernema carpocapsae,
EPN can infect fruit fly larvae inside fruits and S. feltiae) have been tested for the
(Toledo et al. 2006; Sirjani et al. 2009; efficacy against medfly larvae. Besides,
Kamali et al. 2013; Mokrini et al. 2020) nematodes were applied as a mulch-
which can serve as a sanitation measure barrier to infest emerging fruit-fly adults.
of the infested fruits that fall to the The susceptibility of the adults was low
ground at the end of the season. but, interestingly, the life-expectancy of
treated medfly adults was shortened.
There are certain challenges in using As expected, medfly larvae were more
EPN against fruit flies such as the correct susceptible and the most efficient
species of nematode, determining the nematode was Steinernema feltiae. This
right dose based also on the density nematode even infested larvae inside
of fly pest population, timing of the the fruit on the soil when applied to
application, based on temperature and the soil, so they are actively searching
pest phenology as well as assessing the for susceptible hosts. The nematode S.
influence of soil composition/ texture and/ feltiae is infecting insects at temperatures
or possible cover crop and its interaction from 8 to 28°C and is therefore ideally
with all these parameters. Many studies suited for off-season control of medflies.
that documented increased efficacy The efficacy in suppressing medfly
against fruit flies have been conducted populations will be tested within the FF-
using local, indigenous strains that are IPM project this winter.
Fig. 1: Infective juvenile of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae. Close-up of the vesicle in the
first part of the intestine containing the symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus bovienii (1000-fold magnification). The
intake shows infective juveniles at full length (approx. 800 mm).
18 19the research news + events
news update
References Annual Meeting of the Temperature monitoring
Barbosa-Negrisoli CRC, Garcia MS, Dolinski s41598-020-76170-7 American Entomological within fruit on the tree
C, Negrisoli JR, Bernardi D, Nava DE (2009)
Lindegren, J.E. & Vail, P.V. (1986) Society system developed and
Efficacy of indigenous entomopathogenic
nematodes (Rhabditidae: Heterorhabditidae, Susceptibility of Mediterranean fruit fly, successfully tested
Steinernematidae), from Rio Grande do Sul Melon fly, and Oriental fruit fly (Diptera: The FF-IPM Project and its
Brazil, against Anastrepha fraterculus Wied Tephritidae) to the entomogenous nematode expected results were presented
(Diptera: Tephritidae) in peach orchards. J Steinernema feltiae in laboratory tests. at the Annual Meeting of the A custom-made prototype logger has been
Invertebr Pathol 102:6–13 Environmental Entomology 15, 465- 468. American Entomological Society developed by our colleague (Efi Bataka,
by Prof. Papadopoulos (University Laboratory of Biometry UTH) to collect
Gazit, Y., Rossler, Y. & Glazer, I. Evaluation Lindegren, J.E., Wong, T.T. & McInnis, D.O. of Thessaly), project coordinator. temperature data within overwintering fruits
of entomopathogenic nematodes for the (1990) Response of Mediterranean fruit fly in UTH’s Pilot Site, Lehonia, Magnesia, Greece.
control of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: (Diptera: Tephritidae) to the entomogenous The first successful preliminary test has been
EXPECTED RESULTS
Tephritidae). Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 10, 157– nematode Steinernema feltiae in field tests in conducted from 12 to 14 September 2020.
164. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150029297 Hawaii. Environmental Entomology 19, 383- Tools and databases to predict Temperature was recorded for 2 consecutive
(2000). 386. where and when invasive pests days every 5-6 mins in fruit core, under fruit
are likely to enter Europe surface and outside fruit using needle-like
James, M., Malan, A. P. & Addison, P. Poinar, G.O., jr & Hislop, R.G. (1981) Mortality probes. Commercial apples were selected as
Surveying and screening South African of Mediterranean fruit y adults Ceratitis Rapid detection and
hosts from the official Pilot Units in the Site,
entomopathogenic nematodes for the capitata from parasitic nematodes identification tools - electronic
traps or electronic noses
and preliminary results are presented below.
control of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Neoaplectana and Heterorhabditis spp.
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Crop Prot. International Research Communications The developed equipment will be used to
Management toolkit to suppress
105, 41–48. (2018). System, Medical Science: Microbiology, any established fruit flies precisely assess temperature in overwintering
Parasitology and Infectious Diseases 9, 641. hosts of the Mediterranean fruit fly in the
Kamali S, Karimi J, Hosseini M, Campos- Design a novel approach for frameworks of the FF-IPM project.
all pest organisms putting EU
Herrera R, Duncan LW (2013) Biocontrol Sirjani, F. O., Lewis, E. E. & Kaya, H. K. 2009
horticultural industry at risk
potential of the entomopathogenic Evaluation of entomopathogenic nematodes
nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae
and Steinernema carpocapsae on cucurbit (Diptera: Tephritidae). Biol. Control 48, 274– Prof. Papadopoulos shared the FF-
fly, Dacus ciliatus (Diptera: Tephritidae). 7280. IPM vision to create a paradigm shift
Biocontrol Sci Technol 23:1307–1323 towards the off-season management
Toledo, J. et al. Abiotic factors affecting of emerging pests.
Minas, R. S., Souza, R. M., Dolinski, C., the infectivity of Steinernema carpocapsae
Carvalho, R. S. & Burla, R. S. Potential of (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) on larvae of
entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Heterorhabditidae) to control Mediterranean Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 19, 887–898. https:// Establishment of traps in S. Africa
fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) soil stages. doi.org/10.1080/09583150903180429 (2009).
Nematoda 3, e02016. https://doi.org/10.4322/ FF-IPM South African team (Citrus Research
nematoda.02016 (2016). Toledo J, Ibarra JE, Liedo P, Gómez A, International) collecting baseline information on the
Rasgado MA, Williams T. 2005. Infection of phenology of the invasive fruit fly species- Bactrocera
Mokrini, F., Laasli, SE., Benseddik, Y. et al. Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) dorsalis (Oriental fruit fly) in several areas of low
Potential of Moroccan entomopathogenic larvae by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora prevalence in northern South Africa. Data collected over
nematodes for the control of the (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) under two years will be used for development of an optimized
Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata laboratory and field conditions. Biocontrol detection system for this pest. The novel automated
Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae). Sci Rep Science and Technology, 15: 627-634. http:// early detection system will integrate e-Traps developed
10, 19204 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/ dx.doi.org/10.1080/09583150500089049 and deploy them in novel spatio-temporal arrangements
to test hypothetically efficient surveillance strategies.
20 21news + events news + events
Αutumn application Establishment of traps in Israel
of Entomopathogenic David Nestel’s group in the Agricultural
University of Thessaly nematodes Research Organization of Israel (ARO) realized
Approximation of critical the establishment of e-traps at an apple orchard
Benaki Phytopathological Institute in the Northern border of Israel. The scope of
temperatures applied Entomopathogenic nematode this experiment is to monitor the presence of
Steinernema feltiae suspension in fruit flies in the area. In addition and in order to
Insect Biology Lab - UTH’s team is citrus for Off-season control of medfly compare the results, a conventional trap was
conducting trials for the approximation larvae in the soil and fallen fruits. The also placed in the region.
of CTmin and CTmax for 3 medfly activity took place in Koniario Institute,
biotypes to identify physiological and Korinthos, Greece.
molecular mechanisms that regulate
plasticity and adaptive responses to Annual meeting
stressful conditions.
The Annual Meeting brought together more than 40
scientists from 16 countries (representing 21 project
partners) to share progress and findings achieved
during the 1st year of the project. The overall project
overview was presented by Prof. Nikos Papadopoulos
from the University of Thessaly, project coordinator.
Regardless of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
and the seasonality of data collection, FF-IPM’s
researchers managed to produce the high-quality
results expected. Following a series of presentations,
participants had the opportunity to attend the
session given by Prof. David João Horta Lopes
(University of Azores, Portugal) who outlined the
main findings of the recently concluded European
funded project “Euphresco”, offering a view on
comparative research on the fruit fly’s challenge.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Milestone achieved Extensive testing of mass Evaluation of e-trap Temperature monitor
American Congress of Fruit Flies
Electronic FF detection trap trapping devices at UTH & e-nose system by UTH Congreso Americano de moscas de la fruta 2-6 November 2020
advanced & tested
Dr. David Nestel presented FF-IPM EU at the The second important part of his
American Congress of Fruit Flies that took presentation was the synergy that
place in Colombia, among the works of the emerged via the FF-IPM project among
APR 2020 JUN 2020 AUG 2020 SEP 2020
10th Meeting of the Working Group on Fruit many international stakeholders. This
Flies of the Western Hemisphere. synergy helped the FF-IPM project to
TEAM meeting Application of FF-IPM Trap installation Dr. Nestel stressed that since neonicotinoids establish a prevention system based on
Entomopathogenic Annual meeting in S.Africa
were banned, which was an additional EU needs which are different from the
nematodes in Greece
burden on fruit growers in Europe, and along regulatory uniform, macro-regional scales
with the new knowledge we gained for the of the USA and Australia, which are the
FF control, a solid starting base for the FF- main providers of pest control knowledge
IPM project was created. and pest handling systems.
OCT 2020 OCT 2020 OCT 2020 NOV 2020
22 23Horizon 2020
European Union Funding
for Research & Innovation
www.fruitflies-ipm.eu fruitfliesipm H2020IpmYou can also read
