Data from: Directional selection to improve the sterile insect technique (SIT): survival and sexual performance of desiccation resistant Anastrepha ludens strains

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an effective, environmentally friendly method for insect control whose success depends on the sexual performance and survival of sterile males. These two parameters are influenced by environmental conditions of target areas and, releasing insects with a higher tolerance to stressful environments can improve SIT efficiency. Directional selection can be used to produce insect strains with higher tolerance to extreme environmental conditions, such as low humidity, for extended periods. We evaluated, under field cage conditions, the sexual competitiveness, sexual compatibility and, survival of strains of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) selected for desiccation resistance to determine the value of directional selection as a possible approach to enhance sterile insect technique efficiency. Fly strains (selected and unselected and those mass-reared) were exposed to stressful conditions of low humidity and food and water deprivation for 24 hours before test. As a control, mild conditions without the stressors were used. No differences in sexual competitiveness and sexual compatibility between selected, non-selected, and mass-reared strains were observed when previously exposed to mild conditions. Thus, selection for desiccation resistance does not modified negatively the sexual performance. However, when insects were exposed to stressful conditions, males of selected strains sexually outperform mass reared males. Additionally, selected strains presented higher survival than mass reared flies. The approach to integrate directional selection with other technologies in the sterile insect technique as well as the implications of using a desiccation selected strain in the current pest management program are discussed.

不育昆虫技术（Sterile Insect Technique，SIT）是一种高效且环境友好的害虫防治手段，其防控效果取决于不育雄虫的交配性能与存活能力。这两项性能参数受靶标区域环境条件的影响，因此释放对胁迫环境耐受性更强的昆虫，可提升SIT的防控效率。定向选择可用于培育对极端环境条件（如低湿度）具有长期耐受性的昆虫品系。本研究在田间笼养条件下，评估了经耐脱水性筛选的墨西哥按实蝇（Anastrepha ludens (Loew)）品系的交配竞争力、交配相容性与存活能力，以明确定向选择作为提升SIT防控效率潜在手段的应用价值。实验前，将3类果蝇品系（经筛选、未筛选以及大规模饲养的品系）置于低湿度、禁食禁水的胁迫环境中处理24小时；对照组则在无胁迫的温和环境条件下饲养。当在温和环境条件下预处理后，经筛选、未筛选及大规模饲养的品系之间，交配竞争力与交配相容性均无显著差异，表明耐脱水性筛选不会对昆虫的交配性能产生负面影响。但当昆虫经胁迫环境处理后，经筛选品系的雄虫交配性能优于大规模饲养的雄虫。此外，经筛选品系的存活能力也高于大规模饲养的果蝇。本研究还探讨了将定向选择与SIT其他技术相结合的应用路径，以及在当前害虫综合治理方案中使用耐脱水性筛选品系的潜在意义。