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Use of irradiated Musca domestica pupae to optimize mass rearing and commercial shipment of the parasitoid Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Abstract This paper examines the potential for using irradiated Musca domestica pupae as suitable hosts of the parasitoid Spalangia endius for its use in biological control programs. Prior to being exposed to parasitoids, M. domestica pupae were gamma irradiated at 500 Gy and maintained for up to 2 months in anoxia at 6°C. The parasitization percentage, estimated by parasitoid emergence, decreased 25% after 26.5 days, 50% after 53.2 days, and 58% after 60 days. This was compared to a control group of S. endius parasitoids reared on cold-stored non-irradiated pupae whose emergence percentage decreased by 25% after 7.7 days, 50% after 15.5 days, and 72% after 22 days. Fecundity and adult longevity of parasitoids emerging from irradiated pupae were evaluated as indicators of fitness. There were no significant differences in fitness between parasitoids raised on irradiated, cold-stored pupae and the standard, live pupae presently being used in biocontrol programs. If this procedure is implemented for the mass rearing process of S. endius, it could allow the production of surplus stocks of pupae, improved efficiency, reduced rearing costs, and allow commercial shipments of non-parasitized host pupae.