New Pest Response Guidelines - Phytosanitary Resources

Noctuidae: Spodopotera
Chapter 6. Control
Spodoptera littoralis
Spodoptera litura
Sterile insect technique
• Chiracanthium mildei Koch (Arachnida: Clubionidae) (Fowler and
Lakin 2001)
• Coccinella undecimpunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) (Fowler and
Lakin 2001)
• Microplitis rufiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (Fowler and Lakin
2001)
• Spodophagus spp. (Hymenoptera: Ptermomalidae)
• Exorista japonica (Diptera: Tachninidae) (Herbison-Evans and
Crossley 2004)
• Nomuraea rileyi (Fungi: Ascomycota)
• Cypovirus (Viris Reoviridae) (Herbison-Evans and Crossley 2004)
Sterile insect technique (SIT) is an effective tool in eradication and
suppression programs. USDA/APHIS personnel have used SIT to control the
following pests:
• Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)
• Screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), and
• Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella)
SIT employs radiation to sterilize large numbers of insects. When released,
the sterilized insects effectively compete with the target pest species, thereby
reducing the reproductive success of the native pest. Many factors determine
if a particular insect is a good candidate for SIT, including its competitiveness
after irradiation, ability to be reared in large numbers, and the development of
a pheromone for monitoring.
S. frugiperda, S. exigua, S. litura and S. littoralis exhibit inherited sterility and
are good candidates (Carpenter and Wiseman 1992; Carpenter, Hidryani and
Sheehan 1996; Seth and Lehgal 1993; Sallam and Ibrahim 1993). Inherited
sterility (also known as F1 sterility) is most common in members of the family
Lepidoptera. After treatment with radiation, all females will be sterile; and all
males will be fertile and carry a gene for sterility that is passed to the next
generation.
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