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

A technique for tearing the progeny of wild Ceratitis capitata flies was de veloped. The method is based on wild captured flies which are allowed to ov iposit in artificial fruit containing larval rearing medium. Flies develop in the fruit from eggs to last larval instar, then exit the fruit and pupat e within vermiculite. This method was shown to be feasible and efficient, a nd to increase considerably the number of wild flies for testing purposes. Possible contribution to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and potential a pplications of the method are discussed.