The methodology of the sterile insect technique against Mediterranean fruit fly in Western Australia.
Fisher K. T., Sproul A. N.
3 fig.
Proceedings of the Fourth Australian Applied Entomological Research Conference, Adelaide 24-28 September 1984. Pest control: recent advances and future prospects : 12-20
Abstract : Methods are described whereby Ceratitis capitata, a pest of fruit and vegetables, was reared in large numbers (up to 12 million flies a week) in the laboratory, sterilized and released in an area of Western Australia as a sterile-insect control measure. Trapping wild flies in an initial phase of the programme indicated that C. capitata was present all year round, increasing in numbers with ripening citrus in winter and peaking with tropical fruits (guava, mango and pawpaw) in summer. In a 2nd phase, the effects of releasing 7.5 million sterile flies per week, unassisted by chemical controls, were examined. The 3rd and 4th phases combined chemical and sterile-insect release methods, and chemical controls almost ceased in the 5th phase. It is considered that the measures taken could lead to eradication of the fly from the area in 1985.