Genetic sexing strains (GSS), such as the Ceratitis capitata (medfly) VIENNA 8 strain, facilitate male-only releases and improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of sterile insect technique (SIT) applications. Laboratory domestication may reduce their genetic diversity and mating behaviour and hence, refreshment with wild genetic material is frequently needed. As wild males do not carry the T(Y;A) translocation, and wild females do not easily conform to artificial oviposition, the genetic refreshment of this GSS is a challenging and time-consuming process. In the present study, we report the development of a novel medfly GSS, which is based on a viable homozygous T(XX;AA) translocation using the same selectable markers, the white pupae and temperature-sensitive lethal genes. This allows the en masse cross of T(XX;AA) females with wild males, and the backcrossing of F1 males with the T(XX;AA) females thus facilitating the re-establishment of the GSS as well as its genetic refreshment. The rearing efficiency and mating competitiveness of the novel GSS are similar to those of the T(Y;A)-based VIENNA 8 GSS. However, its advantage to easily allow the genetic refreshment is of great importance as it can ensure the mass production of high-quality males and enhanced efficacy of operational SIT programs.

Biology Centre CAS Institute of Entomology 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Department of Life Sciences Imperial College London Sir Alexander Fleming Building South Kensington Campus London UK

Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Insect Pest Control Laboratory Joint FAO IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture International Atomic Energy Agency 2444 Seibersdorf Austria

Programa Operativo de Moscas SADER SENASICA IICA Camino a los Cacaotales S N CP 30860 Metapa de Domínguez Chiapas México

Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences et Technologies BP 376 Koudougou Burkina Faso

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