MEDFLY CERATITIS-CAPITATA WIEDEMANN (DIPT, TRYPETIDAE) AS A ROT VECTOR IN LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Medfly proved to be not only a plant primary pest but also a plant pathogen vector in laboratory conditions. The fungus, Rhizopus stolonifer, was used as a model. Rhizopus stolonifer has been previously shown to be transmitted in a mechanical manner (contamination by contact between sporulated mediums and fly body) by some Diptera. Here we confirmed the mechanical transmission, and we demonstrated the internal transmission (especially through the feces and regurgitation) of this fungus by Medfly. These results associated with the high prospecting activity of Ceratitis capitata lead us to reconsider the damage caused in the orchards by this ''Fruit Fly of economic importance''.