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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #196738
Title: AREA-WIDE CONTROL OF FRUIT FLIES IN HAWAII

Author
item Vargas, Roger
item MAU, RONALD - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
item Jang, Eric

Submitted to: Fruit Flies of Economic Importance International Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2006
Publication Date: 9/13/2006
Citation: Vargas, R.I., Mau, R.F., Jang, E.B. 2006. Area-wide control of fruit flies in Hawaii. Fruit Flies of Economic Importance International Symposium.

Interpretive Summary: n/a

Technical Abstract: Area-Wide Control of Fruit Flies in Hawaii The Hawaii Fruit Fly Area-Wide Pest Management (AWPM) Program was initiated in 1999 by USDA-ARS to suppress fruit flies below economic thresholds while reducing the use of organophosphate insecticides. The program has involved developing and integrating biologically-based pest technology into a comprehensive management package that will be economically viable, environmentally sensitive and sustainable. The technologies include: 1) field sanitation, 2) protein bait sprays, 3) male annihilation with male lures, and if needed. (4) augmentative parasitoid releases and 5) sterile insect releases. Many of these technologies were developed by ARS in Hawaii; however, these technologies have never been packaged and transferred to Hawaiian farmers. In cooperation with the University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Department of Agriculture, growers and other organizations, we secured special local needs registrations for agricultural chemicals, implemented a fruit fly IPM extension educational program, developed site specific implementation plans and initiated trapping, sanitation and control measures within a defined area for sites on Hawaii, Maui and Oahu Islands. Program implementation has promoted ARS, state, university and community partnerships with the support of research and regulatory and agencies. The program has received seven major awards for different technology transfer activities. Future plans for 2006 - 2007 include expansion of area-wide implementation activities to include suppression of oriental fruit fly while still sustaining Mediterranean fruit fly and melon fly programs. More specifically this will include 1) expansion of the oriental fruit fly program in the Puna District to include 800 acres of papaya orchards, 2) development of a monitoring system for fruit flies infesting 'Sharwil' avocado in Kona, 3) continue research to address problems which inhibit implementation of the IPM program such as improving protein bait sprays against oriental fruit fly, 4) address non-target and economic issues, 5) expansion into other agricultural areas not part of the present AWPM demonstration sites by UH on Molokai and Kauai, and 6) promotion of sustainability through end product registration of methyl eugenol and cue-lure with EPA. Technology transfer includes development of area-wide IPM methods for suppression and eradication of Bactrocera species of fruit flies with GF- 120 protein baits, male annihilation, parasitoid releases, and sterile fly releases. Important environmental and nontarget data are also being collected on suppression technologies. The most pressing issue is the registration of methyl eugenol and cue-lure end products to make them available to farmers. We are presently working with EPA to resolve a number of issues. FarmaTech through ARS assistance obtained a Manufacturing Use Permit (MUP) for methyl eugenol and cue-lure in 2006. End product registrations will probably require two more years.