The use of sterile males to control populations of Queensland fruit fly Dracus tryoni (Frogg) (Diptera : Tephritidae) I. methods of mass rearing, transporting, irradating and releasing sterile flies

Abstract

This paper describes the methods devised and used in rearing, transporting, sterilizing, and releasing Dacus tryoni for field experiments aimed at controlling natural populations of this pest with sterile males. The general principles of economical mass-rearing, including the management of breeding stocks, and quality and economy in larval rearing, and previous work on mass-rearing Dacus tryoni are discussed. Adults required exposure either to natural or artificial dusk to stimulate mating, 120 cages each stocked with 4000-5000 flies provided sufficient eggs to achieve a production rate of up to l0*6 pupae per week; eggs were collected in apple-hollows; larvae were reared in a medium whose basic components were yeast and dried powdered carrot; pupae were stored at 25�C and 70-80% R.H. until they were ready for irradiation; they were irradiated on the eighth day of pupal life using a 60Co source to produce doses between 6000 and 10,000 rads. After they had been irradiated the pupae were consigned by commercial aircraft to country airports near the points of release. The sites of release were trees; a release platform protected the pupae from rain, sun, and predators.

Impact of marker dye on adult eclosion and flight ability of mass produced Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…These include the production of high-quality pupae, reliable dyeing procedures vital for subsequent identification, irradiation techniques with minimum adverse effects, transport to release centres, scientifically supported release methods, adequate monitoring and identifications services. SIT has been used experimentally in New South Wales, Australia, to suppress or eradicate Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) since the early 1960s (Monro & Osborn 1967). SIT has been frequently used annually near or within the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) since 1996 Meats et al 2003).…”

Pupal release of the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in the sterile insect technique: seasonal variation in eclosion and flight

“…Adequate retention of dye on the ptilinum of B. tryoni is therefore a crucial component of SIT in Australia. In New South Wales, the first experimental work with SIT for the control of B. tryoni was carried out from 1962 to 1965, using the methods adopted from similar release programs internationally (Andrewartha et al 1967) as described in Monro and Osborn (1967).…”

Optimizing Irradiation Dose for Sterility Induction and Quality of <I>Bactrocera tryoni</I>

“…Current gamma irradiation procedures used to sterilize Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) for SIT are based largely on the Þndings of Monro and Osborn (1967), Bhatti and Shipp (1972), and Sproul et al (1992). Monro and Osborn (1967) discuss the full-scale production of mass reared ßies, from rearing techniques to irradiation, transport, and release.…”