Author
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Sivinski, John |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2007 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: N/A Technical Abstract: Tephritid fruit flies generate trade problems and quarantines wherever they occur. Several strategies for their control, including eradication, fly-free zones and population suppression to aid local markets, can benefit from a biocontrol component. Inundative biological control in particular, the mass-rearing and release of parasitoids, has been shown to substantially lower fruit fly populations area-wide. Another strategic use of inundative control, to suppress populations of potentially invasive pests in their area of origin to minimize the risk of their invasion elsewhere, is under consideration in Latin America. The international organization MOSCAMED (USA, Mexico, and Guatemala) maintains a barrier along the Mexico/Guatemala border to prevent the northward spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly. This barrier is sometimes more porous than wished and new techniques such as inundative parasitoid releases may help hold back the movement of the medfly into Mexico and ultimately the USA. To maximize the effectiveness of inundative control it is important to choose the best parasitoid for use in any particular combination of abiotic environment, and host fruit. Explorations for new parasitoids in Africa have yielded promising candidates, and field testing and development of mass-rearing techniques is underway. |
