Area-wide suppression of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, and the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, in Kamuela, Hawaii

Abstract

The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service initiated an area-wide fruit fly management program in Hawaii in 2000. The first demonstration site was established in Kamuela, Hawaii, USA. This paper documents suppression of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in a 40 km2 area containing urban, rural and agricultural zones during a 6 year period. The suppression techniques included sanitation, GF-120 NF Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait sprays, male annihilation, Biolure traps, and parasitoids against C. capitata and B. dorsalis. In addition, small numbers of sterile males were released against B. dorsalis. Substantial reductions in fruit infestation levels were achieved for both species (90.7 and 60.7% for C. capitata and B. dorsalis, respectively) throughout the treatment period. Fruit fly captures in the 40 km2 treatment area were significantly lower during the 6 year period than those recorded in three non-treated areas. The strategy of combining suppression techniques in an area-wide approach is discussed.

Figure 1.

Topographic map of target area grid in Kamuela, Hawaii Island, showing all trap types deployed. Traps depicted include protein bait and the male-specific lure methyl eugenol (against B. dorsalis) traps deployed as the baseline, as well as grid and male annihilation treatment traps. Three additional trap types (control, buffer, and treatment areas) were deployed to monitor the sterile fly release. Some control traps placed outside the grid (= outside control) are also indicated. High quality figures are available online.

Figure 2.

(A) Mean captures (flies/trap/day) of adult C. capitata in grid traps baited with the male-specific lure trimedlure according to trapping date. (B) Frequency of zero captures (black horizontal lines), maximum f/t/d value (red line) and predicted maximum f/t/d value (green line). High quality figures are available online.

Figure 3.

Percent infestation of fruit by C. capitata over a 5 year period. High quality figures are available online.

Figure 4.

(A) Mean captures of adult B. dorsalis in grid traps baited with the male-specific lure methyl eugenol according to trapping date. (B) Frequency of zero captures. High quality figures are available online.

Figure 5.

Relative captures of adult B. dorsalis in grid traps during (A) late August and early September 2003, and (B) early December 2003 in Kamuela, Hawaii Island. High quality figures are available online.

Figure 6.

Percent infestation of fruit by B. dorsalis over a 5 year period. High quality figures are available online.