Work

New quarantine cold treatment for medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in pomegranates

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The medfly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the most important agricultural pests worldwide due to its impact on harvest and market restrictions for host fruits in several countries. Pomegranates ( Punica granatum [L.]; Lythraceae) are sensitive to chilling injuries caused by existing quarantine cold treatments. This study aimed to establish a new cold-treatment schedule at 5 °C for fresh pomegranates by determining the required exposure time to mitigate C. capitata in the pomegranate ‘Wonderful’ variety. The third-instar larva was deemed the most cold-tolerant instar and was used for this study. The combination of 5.2 °C for 36 days achieved 100 % mortality.

Source: Florida Entomologist

DOI: 10.1515/flaent-2024-0067

Authors: Ezequiel C. Quenta, Carlos C. Huaynate, Marleny O. Ruidias, Tania T. Arambulo, Grimaldo Febres

Institutions: Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina

Language: English

Topic: Insect behavior and control techniques

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,130