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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241819
Title: Using portable gas spectrometry for detection of invasive pests at ports of entry

Author
item RODA, AMY - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item Kendra, Paul
item WEIHMAN, S - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item VARONA, E - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Schnell, Elena
item Vazquez, Aime
item Epsky, Nancy
item Heath, Robert

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2009
Publication Date: 7/29/2009
Citation: Roda, A.L., Kendra, P.E., Weihman, S.W., Varona, E., Montgomery, W.S., Schnell, E.Q., Vazquez, A., Epsky, N.D., Heath, R.R. 2009. Using portable gas spectrometry for detection of invasive pests at ports of entry. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting.

Interpretive Summary: n

Technical Abstract: Inspectors at ports of entry are faced with the daunting task of trying to find regulated insect and plant material amongst the millions of articles passing through inspection stations daily. Small insects, pests concealed inside plant materials, and plant diseases can easily escape detection and invade the country. In a collaborative effort, portable gas chromatography technology was tested to determine if volatile signatures could be used to detect fruit fly larvae concealed in grapefruit and to distinguish permissible bonsai trees species from prohibited citrus species.