Improving the mating competitiveness of male Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) fruit flies by adding two juvenile hormone analogues

Improving the mating competitiveness and survival of sterile males are direct means to increasing the effectiveness of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Some insecticide growth regulators, such as the juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) Methoprene, have been used to improve the mating competitiveness of male tephritid flies by reducing their sexual maturation period. However, a decrease in the period of sexual maturation induces a reduction in survival. Here, we compared the effects of methoprene and Pyriproxyfen (PPF), another JHA, in Anastrepha ludens males. Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator that exhibits higher disruption on insects’ methamorphosis than methoprene or than natural JH. . Both compounds were administered at two doses (0.05 and 0.1%) via the male diet immediately after emergence. Our results show that both Pyriproxyfen and methoprene reduced male sexual maturation. However, PPF-treated males exhibited a shorter maturation period and obtained more matings at a given age than methoprene-treated males . No significant differences were observed between the two PPF doses tested (0.05 and 0.10 %). Male survival was equally accelerated by the two compounds. Our results demonstrate that PPF can be used as a tool to improve the mating performance of sterile males.