Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Biological Control Agent for the Caribbean Fruit Fly

Diachasmimorpha (formerly Biosteres or Opius) longicaudata Ashmead (Wharton 1987) is a solitary, endoparasitic braconid wasp which parasitizes larvae of the Caribbean fruit fly Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). The Caribbean fruit fly is one of a group of major fruit pests that occur in the new world tropics and subtropics. Caribbean fruit flies, which infest more than 80 species of fruit, were accidently introduced into south Florida in 1965. This has raised concern because the fly will oviposit in citrus fruits, threatening foreign markets in countries where the fly has not been detected. It has resulted in establishment of quarantines on fruit shipped to Japan, as well as on interstate shipments to Arizona, California, Hawaii and Texas. Fruit must be fumigated with methyl bromide, undergo cold treatment, or be shipped from protocol areas (fly-free or bait-sprayed). The possibility of a ban on methyl bromide and the high cost of cold treatment, as well as the growing concern for avoiding environmental damage from pesticides, has led to more emphasis on biological control. The parasite D. longicaudata (Ashmead) was introduced into Hawaii from Asia for control of fruit flies in 1948 (Bess et al. 1961). Following the buildup of Caribbean fruit fly populations, D. longicaudata was imported into Florida, released in 1972, and is well established (Baranowski 1987).