Exploration for olive fruit fly parasitoids across Africa reveals regional distributions and dominance of closely associated parasitoids

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae , has been a key pest of olives in Europe and North America. We conducted the largest exploration for parasitoids associated with the fly across Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Namibia, and South Africa) including some of the fly’s adjoining regions (Canary Islands,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2021-03, Vol.11 (1), p.6182-6182, Article 6182
Main Authors: Wang, Xingeng, Walton, Vaughn M., Hoelmer, Kim A., Pickett, Charles H., Blanchet, Arnaud, Straser, Robert K., Kirk, Alan A., Daane, Kent M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/158/2178
631/158/2458
Adaptation
Bactrocera oleae
Biological control
Climate
Dominance
Ecological adaptation
Exploration
Fruits
Herbivores
Humanities and Social Sciences
Interspecific relationships
Islands
multidisciplinary
Olives
Parasitoids
Pest control
Regions
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Seasonal variations
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Summary:The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae , has been a key pest of olives in Europe and North America. We conducted the largest exploration for parasitoids associated with the fly across Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Namibia, and South Africa) including some of the fly’s adjoining regions (Canary Islands, Morocco, Réunion Island and Tunisia). From Sub-Saharan regions, four braconids were collected: Bracon celer , Psytallia humilis, P. lounsburyi , and Utetes africanus . Results showed that their regional dominance was related to climate niches, with P. humilis dominant in hot semi-arid areas of Namibia, P. lounsburyi dominant in more tropical areas of Kenya, and U. africanus prevalent in Mediterranean climates of South Africa. Psytallia concolor was found in the Canary Islands, Morocco and Tunisian, and the Afrotropical braconid Diachasmimorpha sp. near fullawayi on Réunion Island. Furthermore, we monitored the seasonal dynamics of the fly and parasitoids in Cape Province of South Africa. Results showed that fruit maturity, seasonal variations in climates and interspecific interactions shape the local parasitoid diversity that contribute to the low fly populations. The results are discussed with regard to ecological adaptations of closely associated parasitoids, and how their adaptations impact biocontrol.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-85253-y