Submitted to: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/14/2016
Publication Date: 2/7/2017
Citation: Manoukis, N., Jang, E.B., Dowell, R.V. 2017. Survivorship of male and female Bactrocera dorsalis in the field and the effect of male annihilation technique. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 162:243-250.

Interpretive Summary: This paper describes the results of experiments that compare two numbers of lure/insecticide spots per unit area with a control of no treatment for killing invading fruit flies. If the number of spots could be reduced with the same killing ability, then materials, labor, and time could be spared without compromising safety. Surprisingly, the results suggest that a lower number of spots per unit area was more effective than the higher number at killing flies. We also have derived estimates of how well these flies survive in the field.

Technical Abstract: Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) is a key component of the Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) management because of the “strong” attraction of males to the lure methyl eugenol. The optimal application density for MAT has not been investigated for this economically important pest species. We tested the effect of two levels of MAT application density compared to a no MAT control on the daily survivorship of male and female Bactrocera dorsalis estimated by mark-release-recapture (MRR) using a 1 km2 passive sampling network. Estimated daily survivorship from two separate MRR trials under control (no MAT) conditions was 0.751 for males and 0.948 for females. Male survivorship was similar under control (no MAT) and high application density (256 spots/km2; daily survivorship 0.704). However, estimated male survivorship was significantly lower under the low application density (100 spots/km2; daily survivorship 0.211). A similar pattern was observed in estimated female survivorship, with a significant reduction in survivorship under the low rate compared with control and high application density (low density estimated survivorship 0.652; high density 0.881). The results suggest that a lower application density may be more effective against Bactrocera dorsalis than the high application density. A lower application density for effective MAT would benefit growers and the public with respect to management of B. dorsalis through reduced labor and material costs, limiting potential environmental impacts, and increased logistical simplicity finding application sites in urban environments.