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Title: REVISED IRRADIATION DOSES FOR MELON FLY, ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY AND MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) AND A GENERIC DOSE FOR TEPHRITID FRUIT FLIES

Author
item Follett, Peter
item Armstrong, John

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2004
Publication Date: 8/15/2004
Citation: Follett, P.A., Armstrong, J.W. 2004. Revised irradiation doses for melon fly, oriental fruit fly and mediterranean fruit fly (diptera: tephritidae) and a generic dose for tephritid fruit flies. Journal of Economic Entomology. 97:1254-1262.

Interpretive Summary: Approved irradiation quarantine treatment doses for melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, and oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis infesting fruits and vegetables for export from Hawaii to the continental U.S. are 210, 225, and 250 Gy, respectively. Irradiation studies were initiated to determine whether these doses could be reduced. Tests were conducted with wild and lab strains of the three fruit fly species, both in diet and in fruit. The objective was to prevent adult emergence. Melon fly was the most tolerant of the three species to irradiation, and oriental fruit fly was more tolerant than Mediterranean fruit fly. Laboratory and wild strains of each species were equally tolerant of irradiation, and flies were more tolerant when irradiated in fruit compared with artificial diet. An irradiation dose of 150 Gy applied to 93,000 melon fly late third instars in papayas resulted in no survivors to the adult stage, indicating that this dose is sufficient to provide quarantine security. Oriental fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly were controlled with irradiation doses of 120 and 100 Gy, respectively. Results support a proposed generic irradiation quarantine treatment dose of 150 Gy for all tephritid fruit flies.

Technical Abstract: Approved irradiation quarantine treatment doses for melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, and oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis infesting fruits and vegetables for export from Hawaii to the continental U.S. are 210, 225, and 250 Gy, respectively. Irradiation studies were initiated to determine whether these doses could be reduced. Dose response tests were conducted with late third instars of wild and lab strains of the three fruit fly species, both in diet and in fruit. After irradiation treatment, data were taken on adult emergence, and adult female fecundity and fertility. Melon fly was the most tolerant of the three species to irradiation, and oriental fruit fly was more tolerant than Mediterranean fruit fly. Laboratory and wild strains of each species were equally tolerant of irradiation, and flies were more tolerant when irradiated in fruit compared with artificial diet. An irradiation dose of 150 Gy applied to 93,000 melon fly late third instars in papayas resulted in no survivors to the adult stage, indicating that this dose is sufficient to provide quarantine security. Oriental fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly were controlled with irradiation doses of 120 and 100 Gy, respectively. Results support a proposed generic irradiation quarantine treatment dose of 150 Gy for all tephritid fruit flies.