地中海实蝇入侵中国的风险评估

地中海实蝇Ceratitis capitata(Weidemann)是全球分布范围最广、为害最大的害虫之一。为评估地中海实蝇入侵中国风险并制定针对性的检疫措施,基于其在全球的分布数据,选取与其发生相关的温度、湿度等7个变量,利用MaxEnt模型预测其适生区,并结合我国进境口岸截获数据及寄主分布情况评估其入侵风险。结果显示,地中海实蝇在全球的适生区范围主要集中在热带、亚热带地区,在我国的适生区范围主要集中在南部地区。该虫在越南、老挝、缅甸、印度、不丹和尼泊尔等我国邻国多地适生,且在我国进境口岸每年也均有截获,2003—2015年共截获274批次;其主要寄主苹果、咖啡、榅桲和无花果在我国的适生区范围内种植面积及产量均较高。因此中国具备了该虫进入、定殖的适生条件,具有较高的扩散风险。为预防其入侵,需完善边境疫情监测体系,加强进境口岸管理力度,并制定科学管理措施以降低其进入、定殖及扩散的风险。     

Preventative releases of self-limiting Ceratitis capitata provide pest suppression and protect fruit quality in outdoor netted cages

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, (Medfly) is considered a key pest of citrus fruit in many countries. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are frequently highly dependent on the use of insecticides. Oxitec’s self-limiting (prevents the insects’ offspring from surviving to adulthood) Medfly technology (OX3864A) offers an approach to manage Medfly outbreaks and may offer improved sustainability and economics for area-wide programmes. Netted cages were used to evaluate OX3864A deployed for the first time outdoors as a preventative treatment to suppress wild Medfly. Comparative assessments examined sexual competitiveness, the relative performance of OX3864A releases at both adult and pupal life-stages, and the ability of OX3864A to protect against fruit damage. OX3864A males are as competitive as wild males. Deployment of both adult and pupal life-stages of OX3864A effectively reduce Medfly abundance, resulting in elimination of the target pest populations. OX3864A deployment as adults also demonstrated the beneficial attribute of protecting fruit quality to preserve marketable yield. Data for adult and pupal deployment strategies are encouraging for self-limiting technologies targeting Medfly populations and support a broader evaluation of OX3864A Medfly or further improved self-liming Oxitec strains of Medfly in open settings.     

Cyt1Aa protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) serovar israelensis is active against the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)

BACKGROUND: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is one of the world's most destructive fruit pests. The aim of this study was to ascertain insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) δ‐endotoxins to C. capitata. RESULTS: Among 42 selected Bacillus strains, only B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) solubilised protoxins showed biological activity against C. capitata neonate larvae, whereas Bti spore and crystal mixture was inactive. Insecticidal activity of Bti protoxins was significantly enhanced by incubation with Culex pipiens L. gut extracts. Overdigestion of Bti protoxins with Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre) gut extracts suppressed biological activity against C. capitata, and this correlated with degradation of Cyt toxins. Cyt1Aa solubilised protoxin showed the highest toxicity, LC₅₀ after 7 days of 4.93 µg cm^?2, while proteolytical processing of Cyt1Aa protoxins by larval gut extracts did not enhance insecticidal activity. CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence for the first time of the insecticidal activity of a B. thuringiensis strain against C. capitata and identifies a single δ‐endotoxin with potential for controlling this pest. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

A novel method for rearing the progeny of wild mediterranean fruit flies using artificial fruit

A technique for rearing the progeny of wildCeratitis capitata flies was developed. The method is based on wild captured flies which are allowed to oviposit in artificial fruit containing larval rearing medium. Flies develop in the fruit from eggs to last larval instar, then exit the fruit and pupate within vermiculite. This method was shown to be feasible and efficient, and to increase considerably the number of wild flies for testing purposes. Possible contribution to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and potential applications of the method are discussed.     

重大实蝇类昆虫解毒代谢基因的研究进展

实蝇类昆虫种类很多,其中地中海实蝇Ceratitis capitata、橘小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis、瓜实蝇B. cucurbitae等严重为害多类果蔬,造成巨大经济损失,是国际重要检疫性或入侵性害虫。目前,杀虫剂仍然是防治实蝇类害虫的重要手段,但是多种实蝇因已经产生抗药性而导致防治困难。在昆虫抗药性产生与发展中,解毒代谢家族基因起着十分重要的作用。本文综述了实蝇科重要经济性昆虫包括橘小实蝇、瓜实蝇、油橄榄果实蝇B. oleae、昆士兰果实蝇B. tryoni、辣椒果实蝇B. latifrons、桃果实蝇B. zonata、木瓜果实蝇B. papayae、杨桃果实蝇B. carambolae、柑橘大实蝇B. minax、地中海实蝇、苹绕实蝇Rhagoletis pomonella、雪果绕实蝇R. zephyria和泽兰始实蝇Procecidochares utilis等的细胞色素P450酶、酯酶、谷胱甘肽S转移酶、ABC转运蛋白这4类解毒代谢基因方面的研究进展,为全面深入了解研究实蝇科昆虫应对有毒有害物质的生理和遗传机制以及研发实蝇类害虫化学防治新策略、新技术等提供参...     

Detection of Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) using trimedlure versus enriched ginger oil in citrus orchards

Abstract

Successful fruit fly control requires effective monitoring to make pest management decisions. Ceratitis capitata (Medfly) is typically monitored in Tunisia with parapheromone commercialised as trimedlure (TM). Chemical treatment is applied when the economic threshold (3 flies/trap/day) is reached. In this study, C. capitata populations in a commercial citrus orchard captured in McPhail traps baited with TM or enriched ginger oil (EGO) were compared over two seasons (2011 and 2012). Females of C. capitata were not attracted to TM or EGO. Trimedlure was significantly more attractive to C. capitata males than EGO under low and high population densities over sampling dates. The TM used in McPhail traps was adequate to attract male medflies in citrus orchards under a wide range of Medfly population levels. The use of the best attractant can help to make control decisions when population levels of flies are low, thus preventing unnecessary application of insecticides and/or other control methods.     

Purification and characterisation of proteins secreted by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae with insecticidal activity against adults of the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

BACKGROUND: The control of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata (Wied) is usually performed with protein bait sprays incorporating chemical insecticides that may have adverse effects on humans, non‐target organisms and the environment. In recent years, scientists have sought more environmentally friendly insecticides for medfly control, such as plant‐ and microorganism‐derived compounds. Among these compounds, entomopathogenic fungi are an unexplored source of natural insecticides. RESULTS: The crude soluble protein extract (CSPE) of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Mestch.) (strain EAMa 01/58‐Su) shows chronic insecticidal activity when administered per os. Mortality in flies exhibits a dose response. The CSPE produces an antifeedant effect in adult flies, a result probably due to a progressive deterioration of the fly midgut after ingestion of the extract. Protease and temperature treatments show that insecticidal activity against C. capitata is due to proteinaceous compounds that are highly thermostable. Four monomeric proteins from this crude extract have been purified by liquid chromatography and gel electroelution. Although all four monomers seem to be involved in the insecticidal activity of the CSPE, the 15 kDa and the 11 kDa proteins appear to be mainly responsible for the observed insecticidal effect. CONCLUSIONS: Four new fungal proteins with insecticidal activity have been purified and identified. These proteins might be combined with insect baits for C. capitata biocontrol. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

乌鲁木齐地区甘蓝蚜发生规律初报

甘蓝蚜[Brevicoryne brassicae (Linné)]是烏魯木齐地区十字花科蔬菜上最主要的蚜虫。从9月下旬开始,在晚甘藍、晚苤藍及大白菜等蔬菜靠近地面的根、茎凹陷处,以及叶柄基部和叶片上产卵。蚜卵既可随寄主在菜窖里越冬;也可在菜株残体上露地越冬。露地越冬蚜卵,一般不能成为早春的有效蚜源,因其孵化率极低;孵化出来的少数干母,由于不能及时得到食料或因气候不适合,难以存活。越冬蚜卵于4月下旬孵化,5月中旬末产生有翅蚜,主要先在越冬寄生及冬蘿卜留种株上繁殖;到5月下旬至6月初,才陆續迁飞到春、夏十字花科蔬菜及春油菜上,大量繁殖和为害。7月下旬至8月初,晚甘藍与晚苤藍上的蚜虫便成为大白菜和冬蘿卜苗期的主要蚜源。甘藍蚜在烏魯木齐地区,无論是在菜窖里,或是在露地残株上,均不能以成蚜越冬。     

Laboratory evaluation of natural pyrethrins, pymetrozine and triflumuron as alternatives to controlCeratitis capitata adults

Three insecticides, pyrethrins + piperonil butoxide (PBO), pymetrozine and triflumuron, were tested as potential alternatives for controlling the Mediterranean fruit flyCeratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). The compounds were administered to adult flies in the laboratory by different uptake methods at the recommended rates currently used in fruit crops in Spain. Pyrethrins + PBO (80 + 320 ppm a.i.) exhibited a comparable knock-down effect to malathion (1,500 ppm a.i.) in the laboratory, irrespective of the method of application used. After these results were obtained, the number of concentrations tested was increased to carry out a dose-response analysis. Pymetrozine (300 ppm a.i.) and triflumuron (150 ppm a.i.) did not kill adults at the concentrations tested. However, pymetrozine diminished the fecundity, especially when adults were fed the insecticide; egg hatch was decreased by 59.3% compared with controls. Further experiments showed that increased period of ingestion and higher concentrations had a clear effect in reducing both fecundity and fertility. The possible use of pyrethrins + PBO and pymetrozine to reduce populations ofC. capitata is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 22, 2006. Corresponding author     

Infection of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratitis capitata</Emphasis> by two species of the<Emphasis Type="Italic">Entomophthora muscae</Emphasis> species complex (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in the field

Adult Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata), collected in the field, were infected with entomophthoralean fungi. The fungi sporulated poorly on the cadavers, and resting spores, rhizoids and cystidia were not observed. Measurements of conidia and nuclei and counts of nuclei per conidium from different specimens suggest that the causative agents wereEntomophthora muscae sensu stricto andEntomophthora schizophorae, species recently separated from theEntomophthora muscae species complex. This is the first report ofC. capitata as a host for entomopathogenic fungi. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 29, 2003.     

Aggressiveness of eight <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didymella rabiei</Emphasis> isolates from domesticated and wild chickpea native to Turkey and Israel,a case study

Ascochyta blight, caused by Didymella rabiei, affects both domesticated chickpea and its congeneric wild relatives. The aim of this study was to compare the aggressiveness of D. rabiei isolates from wild and domesticated Cicer spp. in Turkey and Israel on wild and domesticated hosts from both countries. A total of eight isolates of D. rabiei sampled from C. pinnatifidum, C. judaicum and C. arietinum in Turkey and Israel was tested on two domesticated chickpea cultivars and two wild Cicer accessions from Turkey and Israel. Using cross-inoculation experiments, we compared pathogen aggressiveness across the different pathogen and host origin combinations. Two measures of aggressiveness were used, incubation period and relative area under the disease progress curve. The eight tested isolates infected all of the host plants, but were more aggressive on their original hosts with one exception; Turkish domesticated isolates were less aggressive on their domesticated host in comparison to the aggressiveness of Israeli domesticated isolates on Turkish domesticated chickpea. C. judaicum plants were highly resistant against all of the isolates from different origins except for their own isolates. Regardless of the country of origin, the wild isolates were highly aggressive on domesticated chickpea while the domesticated isolates were less aggressive on the wild hosts compared with the wild isolates. These results suggest that the aggressiveness pattern of D. rabiei on different hosts could have been shaped by adaptation to the distinct ecological niches of wild vs. domesticated chickpea.     

Host species, age and sex as factors affecting the susceptibility of the African Tephritid fruit fly species,Ceratitis capitata, C. cosyra and C. fasciventris to infection by Metarhizium anisopliae

The effect of host age and sex on the susceptibility of 3 tephritid fruit fly species, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), C. cosyra (Walker) and C. fasciventris (Bezzi) to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin was studied in the laboratory. Three adult host ages, 0 (<1 day-old), 7-day-old and 14-day-old, were used. All 3 species were susceptible to fungal infection, although there were differences in the levels of susceptibility among the hosts. Age accounted for the largest variability in mortality followed by species, while sex had the lowest variability. Of the 3 host ages tested, the 0- and 7-day-old flies were more susceptible to fungal infection than the 14-day-old flies. Male and female C. fasciventris flies generally succumbed earlier to fungal infection than the other two species. Female flies of C. cosyra and C. fasciventris were also generally more susceptible to fungal infection than the males, although differences were apparent at 3 and 4 days after treatment but not 5 days after treatment. Age accounted for the largest variability in lethal time mortality values (LTs). Mean LT-values generally indicated that the speed of kill was faster among younger flies than the older flies. LT₉₅ ranged between 3.9–4.9 days in the 0-day-old flies, 4.3–6.1 days in the 7-day-old flies and 4.6–6.1 days in 14-day-old flies in the different species and sexes. The implication of this study for the management of fruit flies is discussed.     

Host species, age and sex as factors affecting the susceptibility of the African Tephritid fruit fly species,Ceratitis capitata, C. cosyra and C. fasciventris to infection by Metarhizium anisopliae

The effect of host age and sex on the susceptibility of 3 tephritid fruit fly species, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), C. cosyra (Walker) and C. fasciventris (Bezzi) to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin was studied in the laboratory. Three adult host ages, 0 (<1 day-old), 7-day-old and 14-day-old, were used. All 3 species were susceptible to fungal infection, although there were differences in the levels of susceptibility among the hosts. Age accounted for the largest variability in mortality followed by species, while sex had the lowest variability. Of the 3 host ages tested, the 0- and 7-day-old flies were more susceptible to fungal infection than the 14-day-old flies. Male and female C. fasciventris flies generally succumbed earlier to fungal infection than the other two species. Female flies of C. cosyra and C. fasciventris were also generally more susceptible to fungal infection than the males, although differences were apparent at 3 and 4 days after treatment but not 5 days after treatment. Age accounted for the largest variability in lethal time mortality values (LTs). Mean LT-values generally indicated that the speed of kill was faster among younger flies than the older flies. LT₉₅ ranged between 3.9–4.9 days in the 0-day-old flies, 4.3–6.1 days in the 7-day-old flies and 4.6–6.1 days in 14-day-old flies in the different species and sexes. The implication of this study for the management of fruit flies is discussed.     

Distribution of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’ and its vector Cacopsylla pruni in European fruit‐growing areas: a review

European stone fruit yellows (ESFY) is an EU‐listed I/AII disease affecting Prunus spp. caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum’. This paper reports the results from a systematic literature review approach that sought to determine the geographic distribution of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum’ in European fruit‐growing areas. Evidence for the presence of the phytoplasma was found for 15 of the 27 EU countries. It is prevalent in the most important stone fruit production areas of Central and Southern Europe, where it causes substantial impact in apricots (Prunus armeniaca), Japanese plums (P. salicina) and peaches (P. persica). In Northern European areas where these hosts are not produced, it is occasionally found on tolerant species (P. domestica). However, because surveys of the disease status of tolerant hosts are not performed, it remains unclear whether the pathogen is absent in Northern Europe or survives in tolerant cultivated or wild hosts. No reports of ESFY were found from the southernmost part of Europe: Portugal, Spain (Andalucia, Castile–La Mancha), Italy (Sicily, Puglia), Greece (Crete), Cyprus and Malta. This may be explained by the absence of the favoured wild hosts of the vector. Moreover, it remains unclear if the vector finds suitable conditions for aestivation and overwintering in these regions.     

The role of acetic acid in the attraction of the Mediterranean fruit fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratitis capitata</Emphasis> to ammonium acetate

Ammonium acetate is a well-known and widely-used attractant, primarily as the main and essential component of the dry bait BioLure, in many fruit fly control systems. The integrated attractiveness of ammonium acetate and the attractiveness of its two volatile components were studied in laboratory experiments on both females and males of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. Acetic acid was barely attractive for females and was very attractive for the males. Ammonia was significantly more attractive to females and the integrated attractiveness of ammonium acetate was higher for males than females.     

Evaluation of lufenuron as a chemosterilant against fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae)

BACKGROUND: Chemosterilisation with lufenuron bait stations is a recently developed technique that is being implemented for Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann control. The aim of this work was to evaluate the chemosterilising effect of lufenuron against four economically important Latin American fruit flies species: Anastrepha ludens (Loew.), A. obliqua Macquart, A. serpentina Wiedemann and A. striata Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) in order to design a similar strategy for their control. RESULTS: Sexually mature adults were treated by ingestion with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30.0 mg g^?1 of lufenuron in the diet. In addition, conspecific crosses with only one of the sexes being treated (30.0 mg g^?1) were performed in order to appraise the contribution of each sex to the sterilising effect. In all cases, fecundity was not affected by the treatments, as opposed to fertility where all Anastrepha species studied were significantly affected, although to different extents. The conspecific crosses showed that treated males of A. ludens, A. obliqua and A. serpentina were not able to transmit the sterility to their respective untreated females. Only in the case of A. striata did crossing treated males with untreated females significantly reduced egg hatch. CONCLUSION: Although further investigations are required, the present results demonstrate that the use of lufenuron for controlling A. striata could be potentially viable. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genetic Structure of the Population of Phytophthora infestans Attacking Solanum ochranthum in the Highlands of Ecuador

Thirty-nine isolates of Phytophthora infestans were collected from the wild host Solanum ochranthum in the highland tropics of Ecuador and characterized with a set of phenotypic and molecular markers (mating type, metalaxyl sensitivity, the allozyme loci Gpi, and Pep, mitochondrial DNA haplotype, RFLP, and SSR), as well as for pathogenicity on various hosts. Three groups of isolates (A, B, and C) were identified based on their multilocus genotypes and variable abilities to cause disease on different hosts. Group A had a combination of alleles for the Gpi (86/100), Pep (96/100) and mtDNA (Ia) loci, as well as an RFLP fingerprint, that have not been reported for P. infestans in Ecuador, or elsewhere. Group B shares many marker characteristics with the US-1 lineage described in Ecuador on tomato, pear melon (S. muricatum), and S. caripense, but has SSR alleles not present in typical US-1 isolates. Group C for all markers tested is identical to the EC-1 lineage described on cultivated and wild potatoes in Ecuador. All isolates from S. ochranthum were able to re-infect their host of origin in the detached leaf assay; however, we did not draw clear conclusions as to the relative aggressiveness of the three groups on this host. Isolates of group A were the most specialized and were generally non-pathogenic or weakly pathogenic on all hosts other than S. ochranthum. Groups B and C infected tuber-bearing hosts, including the cultivated potato but were generally non-pathogenic on other non-tuber bearing hosts. Solanum ochranthum was infected by isolates coming from tuber-bearing Solanum hosts (i.e., the EC-1 lineage of P. infestans) and some US-1 isolates from non-tuber bearing hosts. Thus, in nature this species might be a potential reservoir of inoculum of different pathogen populations able to infect the cultivated hosts potato, tomato and pear melon (S.␣muricatum). Unlike potato and tomato in Ecuador, each of which is primarily attacked by a highly specialized pathogen population, S. ochranthum appears to harbour at least three pathogen groups of␣different genetic make-up. The unresolved issue of potential host specificity in isolates found on S.␣ochranthum could complicate efforts to use this species in tomato improvement.     

Effects of cultural conditions on fungal biomass,blastospore yields and toxicity of fungal secreted proteins in batch cultures of Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)

BACKGROUND: Recently, two fungal proteins with apparent molecular masses of 11 and 15 kDa and insecticidal activity against Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) have been purified from the crude soluble protein extract (CSPE) secreted by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin (strain EAMa 01/58‐Su) in Adamek's liquid medium. The feasibility of culturing this strain in fermentation facilities in order to harvest and formulate the insecticidal proteins for C. capitata control is mainly dependent on the ability to produce high concentrations of the active proteins at a reasonable cost. RESULTS: These studies report that, in batch cultures of EAMa 01/58‐Su strain, the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) ratios and sources are important considerations with respect to fungal biomass production, blastospore yield and secretion of insecticidal proteins against C. capitata adults. The data indicate that the type and concentration of N source in the medium influence the production of insecticidal protein and thus the toxicity of the CSPEs. The electrophoretic analysis suggests that the monomer of 11 kDa plays an important role in the insecticidal effect described. Concerning biomass production, no clear differences were found between media with different C and N sources and C:N ratios in total biomass production at day 7. Conversely, important differences were found among the media in terms of blastospore yields. CONCLUSIONS: By optimising the culture media, the insecticidal effect of the CSPE against C. capitata can be improved. In the CSPE from G₄₀:P₂₀ (40 g L^?1 glucose and 20 g L^?1 peptone in dH₂O), the LC₅₀ and the LT₅₀ were 7 and 4.5 times lower than in the CSPE obtained from Adamek. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tethered-flight performance of thermally-acclimated pest fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) suggests that heat waves may promote the spread of Bactrocera species

Background

Thermal history may induce phenotypic plasticity in traits that affect performance and fitness. One type of plastic response triggered by thermal history is acclimation. Because flight is linked to movement in the landscape, trapping and detection rates, and underpins the success of pest management tactics, it is particularly important to understand how thermal history may affect pest insect flight performance. We investigated the tethered-flight performance of Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae), acclimated for 48 h at 20, 25 or 30 °C and tested at 25 °C. We recorded the total distance, average speed, number of flight events and time spent flying during 2-h tests. We also characterized morphometric traits (body mass, wing shape and wing loading) that can affect flight performance.

Results

The main factor affecting most flight traits was body mass. The heaviest species, B. dorsalis, flew further, was faster and stopped less often in comparison with the two other species. Bactrocera species exhibited faster and longer flight when compared with C. capitata, which may be associated with the shape of their wings. Moreover, thermal acclimation had sex- and species-specific effects on flight performance. Flies acclimated at 20 °C stopped more often, spent less time flying and, ultimately, covered shorter distances.

Conclusion

Flight performance of B. dorsalis is greater than that of B. zonata and C. capitata. The effects of thermal acclimation are species-specific. Warmer acclimation temperatures may allow pest fruit flies to disperse further and faster. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Sexual competitiveness of Vienna 4/Tol-94 ‘genetic sexing’ sterile mediterranean fruit fly males in Israel

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used as an environment-friendly means of suppressing Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata; ‘medfly’) populations in the Arava valley of Israel. The technique depends on released sterile males effectively wresting the reproductive potential away from wild, fertile males. Studies carried out in other countries have indicated that sterile males may sometimes be of inferior sexual competitiveness in comparison with their wild counterparts and that this may inhibit SIT efficacy. In the present study, field-cage experiments were conducted to investigate the sexual competitiveness of sterile male medflies (genetic sexing strain Vienna 4/Tol-94) produced in and shipped from Guatemala, in the presence of wild males in Israel. In addition, we checked whether pre-release chilling affects their sexual success. Sterile and wild males were found to be similar in mating frequency, latency until mating, insemination probability, and duration of copulations during which no sperm were stored. There was, however, weak evidence that copulations involving sperm storage were shorter for sterile males. Chilling did not influence any element of male sexual performance. In both experiments, copulations culminating in sperm storage by females were longer than those that failed, suggesting that processes occurring early on in copulation may sometimes be the source of sexual failure. Overall, these results indicate a high standard of vigor in the sterile male medfiies used in the SIT program presently followed in Israel.