Effects of Pichia kudriavzevii on development, larval mortality and fecundity of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) at different temperatures

Host–pathogens interactions are sensitive to changes in temperature and even a slight increase in temperature significantly influences the distribution of insects, including fruit flies. African fig fly, known as Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is one of the invasive, secondary insect pests of fruits. The current article explores the effect of temperature and fungal infection on Z. indianus life history traits. Development of Z. indianus was observed on locally isolated fungus Pichia kudriavzevii (Boidin, Pignal and Besson, 1965) (Saccharomycetales: Pichiaceae) in treated and untreated medium. Pre- adult and adult life stages of treated and untreated individuals at different temperatures showed significant difference in physiological trait values. At extreme temperatures (i.e. 17 and 31 °C) the life history traits (egg hatchability, larval viability, adult emergence, and fecundity) in fungal treated food showed significant reduction in trait values except in development period (egg to adult stage) at 17 °C. Independently, high temperatures (28 and 31 °C) favour shorter fungal growth and Z. indianus development cycle, while longer growth and developmental period at lower temperatures (17 and 21 °C).The current work illustrates the consequences of temperature and fungal infection on the developmental stages and physiological traits of Z. indianus. The combination of the biotic and abiotic factors aids in understanding of the response of pest species of Drosophila to differential temperature ranges and fungal infection; hence, the present study could assist in predicting the driving ecological factors that mediate the containment of Z. indianus, an invasive secondary pest of India.