Discovery of white pupae genes in the Tephritids Ceratatis capitata, Bactrocera dorsalis and Zeugodacus cucurbitae. Tephritids genome and transcriptomics

Suppression or elimination of insect pest populations can be achieved using Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) by releasing irradiated males. Separation and removal of females can be achieved in rearing facilities using dimorphic pupal color phenotypes. Using classical and modern genetic approaches, we identify parallel recessive mutations in Bactrocera dorsalis and Ceratatis capitata that cause the white pupae (wp) phenotype by preventing the puparium from developing into wild type brown colors.