A new, computerized guide to the botanical haunts of the Mediterranean fruit fly can help agriculture inspectors in the U.S. and abroad keep the troublesome insect out of a country. Medfly is one of the world's costliest agricultural pests. It reportedly attacks some 350 plant species. Because these plants are known as "host" species, scientists dubbed the computerized database MEDHOST. It is the most extensive, up-to-date compilation available of medfly host plants reported in the scientific literature. Ag inspectors at airports and shipping docks can refer to MEDHOST when deciding whether plants being transported in luggage or freight should be held for further scrutiny. Researchers who need to know more about medfly's preferences can check MEDHOST's handy list of references to laboratory and field data. The database is available for use on computers with IBM-compatible operating systems.
Tropical Fruit, Vegetable, and Ornamental Crop Research Laboratory, Hilo, HI
Nicanor J. Liquido, (808) 959-4344, liquido@aloha.net

Last Updated: July 14, 1997
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