Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia

Federal University of Pelotas | UFPEL · Department of Ecology, Zoology and Genetics

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), generally reaches pest status in stored grain. Chemical control is the most used method for population suppression, which can cause adverse impacts, thus creating a need for alternatives such as using inert powders. The present work aims to verify the effect of diff...

Interest in biological pest control using ants in agroforestry and agricultural systems has increased in recent decades due to the diversity and abundance of these insects in different ecosystems. Biological pest control has emerged as an alternative to reduce the impact of production on agroecosystems, and ants play a crucial role in this context....

Tephritid fly trapping methods for detecting, monitoring, and controlling these pests in the Americas have been studied extensively. These methods have been developed over several decades of research that has focused on the foraging behavior and specific responses of flies to visual and olfactory cues. This chapter reviews the main concepts related...

Ants are used as bioindicators because they play diverse ecological roles in terrestrial ecosystems. Their richness, abundance, and broad geographic distribution allow these insects to be used to predict the conditions of environmental conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the bioindicator potential of the ant fauna in Parque Estadual do Turvo...

The Asian Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a harmful invasive pest widespread throughout Argentinian fruit-producing regions. It coexists with both pests, the sub-Saharan African Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the Neotropical-native Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (both Diptera: Tephritidae), in northwestern Argenti...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is an invasive pest mainly affecting berry and stone fruit crops worldwide. In Argentina, it inhabits fruit-growing regions. An eco-friendly management strategy involves biological control by using resident natural enemies, such as the Neotropical-native pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Ta). The study com...

Species of the genus Anastrepha cause injuries to several fruits and vegetables in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Among these species, many are present in Brazil. In this study, we surveyed the existing Anastrepha species in the Brazilian Chaco Biome. We evaluated possible influences of climate and vegetation on the occurrence of Anastrepha...

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a pest that reduces the productivity of small fruits. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and chemical insecticides can suppress this pest, but the compatibility of the two approaches together requires further examination. This laboratory study evaluated the comp...

The Southeast Asian–native Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), also known as “spotted-wing Drosophila,” is one of the most globally invasive agricultural species. Although D. suzukii is a pest spread throughout all the Argentinian fruit-growing regions, few information has been published on its impact on local fruit production....

Non-crop host plants inhabiting wild vegetation areas surrounding crops strongly influence the dynamics and abundance of polyphagous pest fruit flies, including Ceratitis capitata (Cc), Drosophila suzukii (Ds), and Anastrepha fraterculus (Af). The two former species are dangerous invasive pests widespread in all Argentinean fruit-producing regions,...

In South America, the resident pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) is a potential biological control agent of the pest Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae). In the present study, we (1) examined the behavior of T. anastrephae towards different host (D. suzukii) and host-substrate (strawberry...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), world-renowned as spotted-wing drosophila, is an invasive pest mainly affecting healthy, soft and stone fruit crops throughout Argentinian fruit-growing regions. Natural environments overgrown by exotic feral host plants apparently favour D. suzukii proliferation. This is common in the subtro...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), world-renowned as spotted-wing drosophila, is an invasive pest mainly affecting healthy, soft and stone fruit crops throughout Argentinian fruit-growing regions. Natural environments overgrown by exotic feral host plants apparently favour D. suzukii proliferation. This is common in the subtro...

This chapter briefly introduces the basics of fruit fly management in the Americas. A total of 21 species of fruit flies belonging to the genera Anastrepha Schiner, Bactrocera Macquart, Ceratitis MacLeay, and Rhagoletis Loew have economic importance. This chapter presents information about their host plants as well as the aspects of their biology,...

The damage caused by fruit flies can occur directly through egg laying and larval development, which opens the door to secondary pathogens in the fruit due to the holes in the posture. The use of synthetic insecticides in orchards has aroused great concern due to market demands and environmental impacts since they present high toxicity, a long with...

We first examine the most active countries in terms of research and highlight the critical role that international organizations have been playing in aiding fruit fly control/management efforts in the Neotropics. We then briefly review highlights on the history and current situation of fruit management in the Neotropical region moving from south to...

This chapter discusses how it should be a fruit fly management plan in a new political, social, environmental, and agricultural context 4.0 In this chapter, how the management of fruit flies should be until 2030 is approached.

In Uruguay, there are two fruit fly species of major economic and quarantine importance Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae). Other species present are Anastrepha nigra, Anastrepha littoralis, Anastrepha australis, and Anastrepha dissimilis, all considered of noneconomic importance. The polyphagous species C. capitat...

Brazil is the third-largest fruit producer in the world. One of Brazil’s biggest problems in producing and exporting fruits is the infestation of fruit flies. Species of Anastrepha, Bactrocera carambolae, and Ceratitis capitata constitute the economically important group. Anastrepha fraterculus, A. grandis, A. obliqua, A. pseudoparallela, A. zenild...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive species that causes serious damage to soft-skinned fruits. The use of plant-based biorational insecticides (plant extracts and essential oils) to control this pest has grown extensively. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the current status, trends, an...

Nas últimas décadas, as exportações e importações de produtos agrícolas aumentaram e o transporte global favoreceu a ampliação da distribuição geográfica de várias espécies-praga exóticas invasoras. Insetos-praga introduzidos em um novo ambiente podem colocar em risco a biodiversidade nativa e a produção agrícola, causando impactos ambientais e eco...

The study was carried out on an agroecological property located in Cologne São Manoel, 8th district of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Anochetus neglectus Emery, 1894 was collected in an area of peach orchard that has been under an agroecological system for 18 years. This record expands the area of occurrence and distribution of this rare species in the Neotr...

Hymenopteran parasitoids, like any other insect, employ strategies to ensure their reproduction. Understanding these strategies is important for ecological purposes, but also to improve mass rearing of biological control agents. Here, we describe mating strategies used by the pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), a...

Introducing an Absent Quarantine Pest (AQP) can cause severe economic, social and environmental impacts, generating food insecurity. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is an excellent tool for prioritizing APQs, allowing countries to better prepare against these threats. This study aimed to determine which AQPs should be prioritized in B...

The invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) was recently recorded in Brazil and constitutes a threat to fruit growing, mainly for small, soft fruits. Recent advances in research on ways of controlling D. suzukii involve the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). In this context, the objective of this study was to ev...

Species of the genus Anastrepha cause injuries to several fruits and vegetables in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Among these species, many are present in Brazil. In this study, we surveyed the existing Anastrepha species in the Brazilian Chaco Biome. And we evaluated possible influences of climate and vegetation on the occurrence of Anastre...

The Southeast Asian-native Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), also known as “spotted-wing Drosophila”, is one of the most globally invasive agricultural species. Although D. suzukii is a pest spread throughout all the Argentinian fruit-growing regions, few information has been published on its impact on local fruit production....

O estado de Santa Catarina apresenta uma riqueza de 26 espécies de Anastrepha (Tabela 2), além de Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). A riqueza total de espécies de Santa Catarina é de 87 espécies de moscas-das-frutas (Tephritidae), incluídas em 24 gêneros (Garcia et al 2002; Garcia, 2002).

No Paraná, são assinaladas 21 espécies de Anastrepha, das quais seis foram registradas recentemente (Lampert et al 2020), além de Ceratitis capitata (Tabela 2). Anastrepha fraterculus compreende um complexo de espécies crípticas, portanto, neste capítulo está sendo considerada como lato sensu. Além de espécies de Anastrepha e de C. capitata, existe...

Hymenopteran parasitoids, like any other insect, employ strategies to ensure their reproduction. Here, we present mating strategies used by the pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), a potential biocontrol agent of the invasive pest species Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Adults from this sp...

In South America, the resident pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) is a potential biological control agent of the pest Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae). In the present study we 1) examined the behavior of T. anastrephae towards different host ( D. suzukii ) and host-substrate (strawberry...

The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of essential oils of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on the control of Acanthoscelides obtectus in laboratory conditions. The extraction of the oils was executed by the hydro-distillation method in a Clevenger device, for 4 hours and the design used was completely ran...

Biological control through the augmentative release of parasitoids is an important complementary tool that may be incorporated into other strategies for the eradication/eco-friendly control of pest fruit flies. However, not much information is available on the effectiveness of fruit fly parasitoids as biocontrol agents in semi-arid and temperate fr...

Understanding the mechanisms associated with the coexistence of competing parasitoid species is critical in approaching any biological control strategy against the globally invasive pest spotted-wing drosophila (=SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). This study assessed the coexistence of two resident pupal parasitoids, Trichopria anastrephae Lima...

Abstract This study aimed to elaborate a sequential sampling plan for C. capitata in commercial orchards of guava. 90 McPhail traps were randomly installed in three guava orchards in a transverse direction for 23 weeks. The data were submitted to sequential probability ratio test. Adopted the average of 0.3 C. capitata for the level of security and...

Thorough and systematic surveys of host associations of Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata are lacking in Uruguay. Our aim was to establish the host status in field conditions and the pattern of use of different fruit species in agroecosystems and wild environments in Uruguay. Tephritid monitoring was conducted in citrus and deciduous fr...

The locust species Schistocerca cancellata Serville, endemic to South America, is known for its ability to form dense swarms, which reach the status of agricultural pest for several crops in southern South America. This article aimed to gather more accurate information about the history, biology, ecology, and control of S. cancellata, because of th...

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are two severe invasive pests widespread in all Argentinean fruit-producing regions. Both coexist with the Neotropical pest Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in northern Argentina. The northwestern region shelter...

The objectives of this research were: (i) to Estimate the quantitative occurrence of Ceratitis capitata captured in McPhail traps in cultivating guava; (ii) to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of C. capitata in guava orchards; (iii) to compare the index of the FTD (fruit fly/trap/day) to the type of spatial distribution of C. capitata...

Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, was first established in Latin America in Mexico in 2011. The vinegar fly has since been detected in 296 municipalities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay. Drosophila suzukii is polyphagous and is found on 64 host plants in 25 families in Latin America, with most hosts also exotic...

Land use changes from native vegetation to agriculture, livestock grazing, and urban development are among the main problems related to biodiversity loss worldwide. In this paper we evaluate how land use changes (eucalypt plantation and pasture) affect the richness and assemblage of wasps (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Pompilidae, and Vespidae), in co...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura 1931) represents one of the main pests associated with the production of small fruits. The use of biological agents is very promising for insect control. In the present study, was evaluated the potential for using the nematode Steinernema rarum PAM 25 in the control of D. suzukii pupae. This fact is very important for...

Ants, an ecologically successful and numerically dominant group of animals, play key ecological roles as soil engineers, predators, nutrient recyclers, and regulators of plant growth and reproduction in most terrestrial ecosystems. Further, ants are widely used as bioindicators of the ecological impact of land use. We gathered information of ant sp...

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (both Diptera: Tephritidae) cause severe economic losses to fruit production; thus, it is important to know the population fluctuations of these pests that share the same habitat and compete for similar niches, as well as to know their relationship with fruit infestation, all of...

The objective of the study was to compare the richness and diversity of ant assemblages in an agroecological system under peach orchard, conventional system under peach orchard cultivation and native vegetation in rural properties located in a Pampa Biome. The study was conducted in four samplings in 2017: 1st and 09th March (summer); 24th and 31st...

The current distribution of Anastrepha grandis, South American cucurbit fruit fly, under current climate conditions is restricted to South and Central America. However, this species is considered a quarantine pest and its presence in fruits is highly unwanted in exports, mainly to territories that offer conditions for their establishment. According...

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) is one of the main pests of fruit farming, and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) represent an important control tool of this species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of different isolate against A. fraterculus larvae and adults. Bioassays were performed using a suspension...

Exposure to sublethal concentrations can have adverse effects on certain individuals, but, can also favor survival and reproduction of others. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposing Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) adults to LC50 of spinetoram and lambda-cyhalothrin and field rate of thiamethoxam on their...

Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) are an efficient group of insects as predators of various arthropods. Based on records of the predatory ant activity, a survey was carried out on the efficiency in predation of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae, considering the percentage of removal of larvae using the variables of soil density and...

The knowledge of ant assemblages that occurs in Conservation Units in the Atlantic Forest domain is a priority, considering the number of endemic species and the impacts that this biome has been suffering. The aim of this study was to evaluate ant assemblages in the Turvo State Park, which is the largest conservation unit in the State of Rio Grande...

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major fruit pest, which is basicaly controlled using insecticides, which represents a risk to beneficial arthropods, human health and food contamination. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a potential alternative tool for the management of this pest, however, only conflicting d...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a widely distributed pest species of soft‐skinned fruits. Recent studies suggest the use of sterile insect technique (SIT) as a control method for this species; however, many factors can impact effectiveness of a SIT programme, including the environmental conditions. Environmental condition...

Trichopria anastrephae Lima and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) naturally occur together with the pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) in Brazil. Due to their co-occurrence, it is important to understand competitive interactions between these pupal parasitoids and how this may impact D. suzukii parasitism levels. Thus, the aim of the study was...

The South American cucurbit fruit fly Anastrepha grandis (Macquart, 1846) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered a quarantine pest by several countries and, therefore, further knowledge about its ability to disperse and establish itself in new territories and its ecological niche is necessary. The goal of this study was to model the potential distrib...

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is among the main pests of fruit crops worldwide. Biological control using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) may be an alternative to suppress populations of this pest. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of six EPN isolat...

Biological control has been the most commonly researched control tactic within fruit fly management programs, and parasitoids have been the main natural enemies used against pestiferous fruit fly species. In view of this fact, it is important to highlight and compile the data on parasitoids with a certain frequency, aiming to facilitate the knowled...

The sterile insect technique is used around the world to suppress or eradicate populations of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) with successful results. It consists of inundative releases of sterile insects into a wide area to reduce reproduction in a field population of the same species. It is necessary to know the dispersion of the sterile males in...

Elio Corseuil (20/07/1930-26/07/2020)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C), on the development time and life-time fecundity of Trichopria anastrephae Lima, 1940 (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) parasitizing Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). D. suzukii pupae that were up to 24-h old were submitted to T. anast...

Temperature is a determining factor for the development and establishment potential of insect pests. The present study describes the impact of different temperatures (13, 18, 23, 25, 28, 30, and 33°C) on the life cycle parameters and phenotypic plasticity of South American populations of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the laboratory...

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is an insect of major economic importance in the mango orchards of the submedium of the São Francisco River Valley, the main area of mango production and exportation in Brazil. To provide alternatives for the management of C. capitata, toxic baits based on alpha-cypermethrin (Gelsura®) and spinosad (Success® 0.0...

Over the past few years, the use of RNA interference (RNAi) for insect pest management has attracted considerable interest in academia and industry as a pest-specific and environment-friendly strategy for pest control. For the success of this technique, the presence of core RNAi genes and a functional silencing machinery is essential. Therefore, th...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of wing bands and the behavior of Anastrepha fraterculus in the presence of Megafreya sutrix. The first experiment used specimens of M. sutrix (n = 40), 20 males and 20 females of A. fraterculus and Musca domestica. The second experiment used 20 individuals of M. sutrix (10 males and 10 fema...

Anastrepha grandis is one of the main pests related to Cucurbitaceae in South and Central America. This study discusses the impact of temperature increase on the number of generations of A. grandis, whose distribution could be aggravated due to temperature increase. Climatic variations were analyzed for reference scenarios obtained from 1961‒1990 a...

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, is considered the main insect pest of small fruit in the world. Identifying susceptible hosts is essential to develop management strategies. The aim of this study was to verify the level of D. suzukii infestation in blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, cattley guava and Surinam cherry fruits...

This chapter intends to compile the information presented in previous chapters highlighting the advances in SWD management and to project how research should advance to the management of this pest in a sustainable way in the future. This chapter deals with how should be the D. suzukii management in the Agriculture 4 context. Agriculture 4.0 is a gr...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a species native to Western Asia and have a rapid expansion worldwide; occurrences were recorded in North America and Europe in 2008, South America in 2013, and Africa in 2020. In Latin America (LA), D. suzukii occurs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay. D. suzukii is a polyphagous species with 52 host...

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), or the Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), belongs to the most important invasive pestiferous species. This chapter presents the main concepts necessary for the management of SWD in an area-wide integrated pest management approach. Morphological aspects and the basis for the correct identification o...

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), is the most important pest affecting berry crop production worldwide. The global fresh fruit trade, coupled with the ability of the larvae to hide inside the fruit undetected until after transportation, facilitate their distribution. SWD is native to Asia, b...