Molecular characterization and chromosomal localization of female-specific genes from the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Genome ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Ciolfi ◽  
Tiziana de Filippis ◽  
Cristina Torti ◽  
Anna R Malacrida ◽  
Romano Dallai

We report here the molecular characterization of the female-specific FST (female-specific transcript) genes from the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata. A genomic clone was isolated, containing a sequence coding for FST. Nucleotide analysis of the clone showed that the gene contains a putative unique intron located in the region encoding the signal peptide. Southern blotting and in situ hybridization analysis on polytene chromosomes suggested the presence of additional genes similar to FST in the genome of the medfly. A novel cDNA clone was isolated from an accessory gland cDNA library, encoding a product that shares 98% identity with the hypothetical translational product of the previously isolated FST cDNA. The novel cDNA was therefore named FST2. The analysis of mitotic and polytene chromosomes by in situ hybridization showed that FST genes map on the left arm of the 4th chromosome of C. capitata.Key words: FST, female-specific genes, C. capitata, medfly, FISH.

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 663
Author(s):  
Rachid Elaini ◽  
Romisa Asadi ◽  
Neil Naish ◽  
Martha Koukidou ◽  
Mazih Ahmed

The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, is a significant pest of stone and pome fruit that causes considerable economic losses worldwide. Current control is primarily based on insecticides, which are often mixed with protein baits. Oxitec has developed a self-limiting medfly strain (OX3864A) that demonstrates conditional female-specific mortality in the early life stages. Sustained release of OX3864A males offers medfly control, which should lead to substantial economic benefits in area-wide programmes. In the current study, the optimum quantities of mature and immature stages of the strain are assessed under semi-mass production. Moreover, the rearing and quality control limitations related to the production of this strain are provided. The data here demonstrate that the egg hatch rate can reach >85% under optimum rearing conditions. However, this depends on the number of pupae loaded in a cage and their ages. The suggested pupal density ranges between 14,000 and 18,000 pupae per cage to provide optimum egg production. In parallel, the embryo densities of 1.25–1.5 mL/kg larval Tet+ diet are recommended for strain propagation, while embryo densities of 1.25–2.0 mL/kg larval Tet− diet are suggested for male-only pupal production.


Genome ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 707-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Rosetto ◽  
T de Filippis ◽  
M Mandrioli ◽  
A Zacharopoulou ◽  
P Gourzi ◽  
...  

In this paper, we report the chromosomal localization of ceratotoxins, a gene family encoding antibacterial female-specific peptides from the mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata. The analysis of both polytene and mitotic chromosomes by in situ hybridization shows that ceratotoxins are the first case of female-specific X-linked genes from the medfly C. capitata. Southern blot analysis reveals that the ceratotoxin gene family is not specifically amplified in the female reproductive accessory glands of C. capitata.Key words: ceratotoxins, female-specific genes, Ceratitis capitata, X chromosome, in situ hybridization.


2016 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 16-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana Castro ◽  
Elazar Fallik ◽  
Esther Nemny-Lavy ◽  
Sharon Alkalai-Tuvia ◽  
Polychronis Rempoulakis ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Mansour ◽  
Fater Mohamad

Abstract Population fluctuations of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, were investigated between 1999 and 2001 at several locations representing fruit production areas in the southern part of Syria (Damascus Ghota, Zabadani, Sargaiah, Rankus, Orneh and Ain Al-Arab). Medfly adults were monitored weekly all year around using Jackson traps baited with trimedlure dispensers. Larvae were also sampled in Damascus Ghota by collecting fruits from ripe or ripening fruit trees and recording the number of larvae emerged from these fruits. In addition, suspected overwintering refuges were sampled at weekly intervals during the three coldest months of the year (December – February) and the number of collected larvae was recorded. The results of trap catches and fruit sampling studies showed a similar pattern of occurrence of medfly populations in the study areas, particularly in Damascus Ghota, during the three years of the study. In Damascus Ghota, flies were caught continuously from early June to late December with some variability between years. Two distinct periods of high fly activity were observed: the first one occurred in August and the second in November with a much higher amplitude. In general, seasonal fluctuations in the pattern of occurrence were influenced by differences in temperature and abundance of preferred host fruits. Traps on fig Ficus carica and oriental persimmon Diospyros kaki trees caught the highest numbers of flies, and fruits collected from these trees showed the highest level of infestation, reaching 100% for fig fruit late in the season. Sampling fruits (in Damascus Ghota) from trees during the three coldest months of the year showed that a small population of medfly larvae was able to survive winter conditions in prickly pear Opuntia vulgaris fruit left on the trees. In the other areas of the study (Zabadani, Sargaiah, Rankus, Orneh and Ain Al-Arab), only a few flies were caught.


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