THE HAWAII FRUIT FLY AREA-WIDE PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Authors: Jang, Eric; MAU, RONALD - UNIV. OF HAWAII; Vargas, Roger

Submitted to: Hawaiian Entomological Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2005
Publication Date: 12/1/2007
Citation: Jang, E.B., Mau, R.L., Vargas, R.I. 2007. The Hawaii Fruit Fly Area-Wide Pest Management Program: Accomplishments and Future Directions. Proc Hawaiian Enotomol Soc. 39: 99-104.

Interpretive Summary: Fruit flies jeopardize development of a diversified tropical fruit and vegetable industry in Hawaii, require exported fruits undergo expensive quarantine treatments, and provide a reservoir for introduction into the mainland U. S. Many scientists have suggested fruit fly eradication in Hawaii would be too costly financially and environmentally, consequently, a local area-wide approach would be more practical. The Area-Wide Pest Management program integrated two or more control components (field sanitation, protein bait sprays, male annihilation, sterile insects, and parasitoids) into a comprehensive package that is economically viable, environmentally acceptable and sustainable. The program has resulted in area-wide suppression of fruit flies, a reduction in the use of organophosphate insecticides, and the impetus for further growth and development of diversified agriculture in Hawaii.

Technical Abstract: Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and the so-called Malaysian (solanaceous) fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), have accidentally become established in Hawaii. Over 400 different host fruits are attacked. These fruit flies inhibit development of a diversified tropical fruit and vegetable industry, require that commercial fruits undergo quarantine treatment prior to export, and in Hawaii provide a breeding reservoir for their introduction into other parts of the world. Present fruit fly control measures in Hawaii rely heavily on the application of organophosphate insecticides to crops. In 1999, a five-year Area-Wide Pest Management (AWPM) program was funded for management of fruit flies in Hawaii. The AWPM program integrated two or more control components (field sanitation, protein bait sprays, male annihilation, sterile insects, and parasitoids) into a comprehensive package that is economically viable, environmentally acceptable, and sustainable. The program has resulted in Areawide suppression of fruit flies, a reduction in the use of organophosphate insecticides, and the impetus for further growth and development of diversified agriculture in Hawaii.