The sterile insect technique (SIT) requires the rearing, sterilization, and release of large numbers of insects to induce sterility within wild pest populations. In 1992, the Mexican government launched a national campaign against economically important fruit fly pests, with the aim of establishing free areas and strengthening fruit exports. To achieve these objectives, the Moscafrut facility began operations in 1993 with the mass rearing of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae: Toxotrypanini) and in 2002 with Anastrepha obliqua (McQuart). Field releases of sterile insects began in the north of the country, and currently 51% of the country is free of these pests. In this review, we describe the mass‐rearing process and the quality control tests used in the production of the above‐mentioned species. As a case study, we also describe the achievements of applying the SIT against A. ludens populations in the citrus‐growing zone of the state of San Luis Potosí, which has resulted in dramatic reductions in both wild fly populations and the use of chemical sprays. We discuss the implications, achievements, and perspectives regarding the use of this technology to control Anastrepha pests in Mexico.

Recent fears of terrorism have provoked an increase in delays and denials of transboundary shipments of radioisotopes. This represents a serious constraint to sterile insect technique (SIT) programs around the world as they rely on the use of ionizing radiation from radioisotopes for insect sterilization. To validate a novel X ray irradiator, a series of studies on Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) were carried out, comparing the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) between X rays and traditional gamma radiation from 60Co. Male C. capitata pupae and pupae of both sexes of A. fraterculus, both 24-48 h before adult emergence, were irradiated with doses ranging from 15 to 120 Gy and 10-70 Gy, respectively. Estimated mean doses of 91.2 Gy of X and 124.9 Gy of gamma radiation induced 99% sterility in C. capitata males. Irradiated A. fraterculus were 99% sterile at approximately 40-60 Gy for both radiation treatments. Standard quality control parameters and mating indices were not significantly affected by the two types of radiation. The RBE did not differ significantly between the tested X and gamma radiation, and X rays are as biologically effective for SIT purposes as gamma rays are. This work confirms the suitability of this new generation of X ray irradiators for pest control programs that integrate the SIT.

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The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an effective, environmentally friendly method for insect control whose success depends on the sexual performance and survival of sterile males. These two parameters are influenced by environmental conditions of target areas, and releasing insects with a higher tolerance to stressful environments can improve SIT efficiency. Directional selection can be used to produce insect strains with higher tolerance to extreme environmental conditions, such as low humidity, for extended periods. We evaluated, under field cage conditions, the sexual competitiveness, sexual compatibility, and survival of strains of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) selected for desiccation resistance to determine the value of directional selection as a possible approach to enhance SIT efficiency. Fly strains (selected and unselected and those mass‐reared) were exposed to stressful conditions of low humidity and food and water deprivation for 24 hr before test. As a control, mild conditions without the stressors were used. No differences in sexual competitiveness and sexual compatibility between selected, nonselected, and mass‐reared strains were observed when previously exposed to mild conditions. Thus, selection for desiccation resistance does not modified negatively the sexual performance. However, when insects were exposed to stressful conditions, males of selected strains sexually outperform mass‐reared males. Additionally, selected strains presented higher survival than mass‐reared flies. The approach to integrate directional selection with other technologies in the SIT as well as the implications of using a desiccation‐selected strain in the current pest management program is discussed.

The sexual performance of Anastrepha ludens males of the Tapachula-7 genetic sexing strain, produced via selection based on mating success, was compared with that of males produced without selection in competition with wild males. Mating competition, development time, survival, mass-rearing quality parameters and pheromone production were compared. The results showed that selection based on mating competitiveness significantly improved the sexual performance of offspring. Development time, survival of larvae, pupae and adults, and weights of larvae and pupae increased with each selection cycle. Differences in the relative quantity of the pheromone compounds (Z)-3-nonenol and anastrephin were observed when comparing the parental males with the F4 and wild males. The implications of this colony management method on the sterile insect technique are discussed.