Development of an embryonic lethality system in Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is one of the world's most destructive insect pests, costing farmers billions of dollars annually. Improved biological strategies are needed to increase the efficacy of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programmes. Transgenic methodology could enhance and widen the applicability of the sterile insect technique (SIT) as a component of AW-IPM programmes and a transgenic approach to sterilize insects with an embryonic lethal transgene combination instead of conventional radiation was successfully tested in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. This system is currently being transferred to C. capitata, in order to test its feasibility in this species and compare its effectiveness to radiation sterilization. Therefore two strategies are being followed: (1) direct transfer of the constructs used in D. melanogaster and assessment of their functionality in C. capitata, and (2) isolation of genes active during early embryonic development of C. capitata for use in an embryonic lethality system with endogenous components. If proven functional and effective in C. capitata, such a system might be transferable to other insect pests.