Influence of relative humidity on the period of pupation, emergence and adult longevity of Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970 (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

• Grant number: 14/25384-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2015
• End date: June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Claudio José von Zuben
• Grantee: Isabelle Bueno Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Recently, the fig-fly Zaprionus indianus was accidentally introduced in Brazil, and has caused serious damage to purple fig plantations, mainly in the region of Valinhos, São Paulo state, Brazil. So, several studies have been made to know better about behavior, physiology, ecology and other aspects of its biology. Therewith this study aimed to analyze the influence of relative humidity on the period of pupation and the emergence and adult longevity of Z. indianus. Data on body size of pupae and adults also will be collected to verify if the sizes interferes in resistance to desiccation.Thus, will be collected pupae (with one day after formation) which in turn were divided in three treatment (control group, high and low humidity groups), stored in appropriate containers but inside different climatic chambers (BODs). The pupae will be observed daily, for a minimum period of ten days, and as soon as there is an emergency, adults will be collected for future analysis. For tests with adults, will be formed couples of Z. indianus for all groups (control, high and low humidity), without any artificial diet in the containers. The groups will be observed twice a day and as they are dying, adults will be collected so that can be cleared data sexing.The results obtained can be important implications for the knowledge of biological aspects of species to contributing to the implementation of control measures for this insect pest.