Early-acting competitive superiority in opiine parasitoids of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Implications for biological control of invasive tephritid pests

Understanding and predicting potential competitive outcomes is critical in the design of biological control programs when considering multiple agent introductions. Tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) include some most destructive pests vegetable crops worldwide. Parasitoid guilds fruit-infesting tephritids are dominated by opiines (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) that have been main agents used for pest tephritids. All opiine parasitoids solitary koinobiont endoparasitoids attack host eggs or larvae emerge as adults from puparia. Thus, a initially attacked an egg-larval parasitoid can be subsequently larval parasitoid, providing ideal system to test Early-acting Competitive Superiority Hypothesis (i.e., first species occupying exploiting early stages has advantage over species). We reviewed literature on interspecific competition among fly parasitoids, which reveals strong evidence supporting early-acting superiority hypothesis through physiological suppression mechanisms. however, depend action well morphological characteristics direct physical their instars (e.g., size mandibles). discuss range ecological mechanisms facilitating coexistence interacting highlight consequences evidenced historical displacements introduced biocontrol Finally, we provide framework exploring role competition, other factors, selecting invasive