FIELD ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY - RELEASE RECAPTURE OF MASS-REARED MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT-FLIES (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) OF DIFFERENT SIZES

In each of three field releases, a higher percentage of large, mass-re ared, sterile Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata, was recap tured than either medium-sized or small flies, with large flies tendin g to be caught over a longer time period than small flies. Larger flie s had a higher emergence rate and percent flight ability. Also, larger flies were significantly longer lived than smaller flies when deprive d of food and water in laboratory quality control tests.