Conservation biological control of the fruit fly parasitoid <i>Fopiusa arisanus</i> (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract Fopius arisanus is a parasitoid of Bactrocera fruit flies. In sub‐tropical Australia, it can cause &gt;30% parasitism Queensland fly, tryoni . There has been minimal research effort globally, and none in to determine how the abundance this species be maintained increased through conservation biological control. We carried out three activities aimed at conserving landscape: (i) testing mesh sizes for augmentoria, devices into which fallen placed that capture emergent flies while allowing release; (ii) investigation suitability wild tobacco, Solanum mauritianum , tobacco cacuminata as non‐crop refuge parasitoid; (iii) value floral resources companion planting increase carbohydrate sources. determined size approximately 2 mm retained near 100% releasing ~90% parasitoids. A readily obtainable 50% shade cloth pore was confirmed suitable making augmentoria. South East Queensland, tobacco/wild fly system demonstrated host F. continuously year, with an annual rate 31%, peaking spring 60%. second parasitoid, Diachasmimorpha kraussii also collected from system, but lower levels. were able move &gt;120 m patch parasitise fly‐infested fruit. None five trialled wasp longevity beyond mean 5.3 days achieved by water‐only When additional juice/fruit pulp tested, only one longevity, 1.3 days, over contrast, wasps fed on honey water survived nearly 40 days. thus concluded field does not gain its nutritional needs either flowers or Augmentoria offer easily scalable tool, backyard growers commercial producers, provides control benefits crop hygiene disrupting cycle. Where without impacting quality farm habitat, great potential year‐round reservoir wasp. Companion nectar recommended