Biological control of the Mediterranean fruit fly in the United States and Central America

Abstract

This publication reviews the history of the most damaging species of the Old World tephritids, the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), and the efforts to suppress this pest in the United States and Central America through biological control. The present distributions of melon fly and oriental fruit fly are relatively restricted and include much of southeast Asia, India, Pakistan, Hawaii, and for melon fly, parts of Africa (Anonymous 1956, 1960). Medfly, in contrast, is distributed over much of Africa and presently occurs on each major continent (Anonymous 1951). Medfly damage to commercial crops is frequently documented in early entomological literature, placing Medfly in the

Issues Concerning the Eradication or Establishment and Biological Control of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly,Ceratitis capitata(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in California

“…Subse quently it established in southern Mexico, where it is contained by an ongoing mass-release effort of sterile flies and bait sprays (Oritz et al, 1984). As Gilstrap and Hart (1987) reported, the Medfly is able to survive and persist in areas as far north as 50° north latitude.…”

“…The Italian entomologist, Filipo Silvestri, was hired to search throughout Africa, as it was suspected that Africa was the most probable continent of origin. Silvestri's own account of this foreign exploration was published (Sil vestri, 1914), and later expeditions are well docu mented (Clausen, 1956;Gilstrap and Hart, 1987;Whar ton, 1989;.…”

“…A significant factor in reducing Medfly populations in Hawaii was the accidental introduction of the oriental fruit fly, Bactro cera dorsalis, and the intentional introduction of its parasitoids for biological control (Bess, 1953;Haramoto and Bess, 1970;Gilstrap and Hart, 1987;Wharton, 1989;Wong and Ramadan, 1990). More recently, biologi cal control efforts in Hawaii have focused on the augmentative releases of Diachasmimorpha longicau datus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and other Opiinae braconids (Wong and Ramadan, 1990).…”

“…More recently, biologi cal control efforts in Hawaii have focused on the augmentative releases of Diachasmimorpha longicau datus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and other Opiinae braconids (Wong and Ramadan, 1990). Five parasitoid species established in Hawaii resulted from nearly a century of collecting on eight separate occa sions in .20 countries around the world (Gilstrap and Hart, 1987;Wharton, 1989). However, none are hostspecific for Medfly, and three of the five were obtained from other African ceratitines (Gilstrap and Hart, 1987).…”

“…Five parasitoid species established in Hawaii resulted from nearly a century of collecting on eight separate occa sions in .20 countries around the world (Gilstrap and Hart, 1987;Wharton, 1989). However, none are hostspecific for Medfly, and three of the five were obtained from other African ceratitines (Gilstrap and Hart, 1987).…”