Florida Exotic Fruit Fly Program

Florida Florida Exotic Fruit Fly Program 

Fl Florida’s id ’ F Fruit it Fly Fl P Program C Comprises i 

Two Routine Aspects 

Exotic Fruit Fly Detection 

And 

Preventive Release Program

Sterile Insect Release Facility (SIRF) 

Preventative Release Program g ( (PRP) ) 

Sarasota, Florida 

SIRF/PRP 

�� prevents the establishment and spread of 

any intentional or accidental introduction of 

Mediterranean Fruit Fly y 

into Florida.

Cooperative Effort Between 

USDA and FDACS 

�� APHIS APHIS, PPQ handles purchase purchase, rearing rearing, 

and release of sterile flies 

�� FDACS FDACS-DPI DPI conducts d t survey and d 

identification of flies caught in traps 

�� APHIS APHIS-PPQ PPQ also conducts survey in these 

high risk areas

The Role of the SIRF/PRP 

�� Initially, it was to provide an emergency 

response to a Med fly outbreak 

�� Tampa outbreak of 1998 

�� Eliminate the the need need for aerial pesticides 

�� Proactive approach to the threat of Med fly 

introduction 

�� Prevent the establishment of Med fly by 

maintaining i t i i a sterile t il f fruit it fl fly population l ti 

�� Miami/Dade County 

�� Tampa/Hillsborough County 

�� Sarasota/Manatee Counties

Miami Dade Release Area 

Approximately Approximately 140 square miles

Hillsborough Release Area 

Approximately 300 square miles

Manatee/Sarasota Release Area 

Approximately 160 square miles

Advantages of SIRF/PRP 

�� Safe for the public-no public no pesticide 

�� No ad adverse erse impact on en environment ironment 

�� Biologically based 

�� Species specific 

�� Cost effective method 

�� Prevention 

�� Suppression 

�� Eradication

Pupae Distribution Room

Emergence Towers

Evaluation of Baits and Traps

Dispersal Dispersal Machine in Aircraft

FLORIDA’S 

EXOTIC FRUIT FLY 

DETECTION PROGRAM 

COORDINATORS 

Edward Cusano Wayne Clifton 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Florida Department of Agriculture And Consumer Services

Introduction: 

�� What are “ “Economic Economic” ” fruit flies? 

• Those fruit flies that can directly or indirectly cause 

economic losses both locally and nationally 

• How many fruit flies are considered to be Economic Economic? 

• Of 4 4,352 352 species species, only about 1 1.7% 7% have the potential to 

become pests; yet, they are among the most costly pests 

�� What are some characteristics of Economic fruit flies? 

• Wide host range 

• Wide climatic range 

• High reproductive capacity 

�� What is the role of the Survey Specialist? 

• Early y detection of Economic fruit flies through g vigilant g 

monitoring

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION COST 

COST 

EXISTING FRUIT FLY POPULATIONS 

INCREASE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE COSTS 

FOR CONSUMERS AND PRODUCTION 

COSTS FOR FOR PRODUCERS. 

PRODUCERS 

CARIBBEAN FRUIT FRUIT FLY FLY PROTOCOL PROGRAM 

PROGRAM 

IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHY WE SHOULD 

NOT ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT OF EXOTIC 

FRUIT FLIES.

Major j Genera of Economic Fruit Flies 

�� Anastrepha 

and their Origins 

nastrepha: : Neotropical Neotropical Region (West 

Indies, South and Central America) 

�� Bactrocera 

actrocera: : Oriental, Australasian and 

Oceanic Regions (Tropical Asia, Australia, 

New Zealand and Pacific Islands) 

�� Ceratitis 

eratitis: : Ethiopian Ethiopian Region (sub Sahara 

Africa ) 

�� Dacus 

acus acus: : Ethi Ethiopian i R Region i and d I Indian di 

subcontinent

The Family Tephritidae: 

Diagnostic Characters 

�� Characters Common to Tephritidae 

• Wings have color color pattern 

• Subcostal vein is bent forward at 90 90° angle 

• Posterior Posterior cubital wing cell ( (CuP ( (CuP CuP) ) has a 

pointed extension 

�� Females have a chitinized ovipositor 

sheath

WHAT ARE YOUR 

TARGETS? 

�� ANASTREPHA 

�� BACTROCERA 

�� CERATITIS

Anastrepha: Mexican Fruit Fly on Citrus

�� Size 

The Genus: 

Genus: 

Anastrepha 

• 200 spp., 15 pests 

�� Distribution 

• Neotropical Region 

�� Potential Pests 

• A. ludens (Mexican Mexican Fruit Fly Fly) 

• A. fraterculus (South South American Fruit Fly Fly) 

• A. obliqua q (West ( West Indian Fruit Fly Fly) y)

Anastrepha ludens 

MMexican i FFruit itFl Fly

Anastrepha 

fraterculus 

South 

American 

Fruit Fly

Anastrepha 

obliqua 

West Indies 


Anastrepha suspensa Larvae in Surinam Cherry

Bactrocera Bactrocera: Melon fly on watermelon

Genus: Bactrocera / Dacus 

�� Size 

• Bactrocera 440 spp, 40 pests 

• Dacus 240 spp spp, 11 pests 


• Ethiopian, Oriental, Australasian and Oceanic 

Regions 


• B. dorsalis (Oriental Oriental Fruit Fly Fly) 

• B. cucurbitae (Melon Melon Fruit Fly Fly) 

• B B. carambolae (Carambola Carambola Fruit Fly Fly) Fly Fly) 

• B. correcta (Guava Guava Fruit Fly Fly)

Bactrocera 

correcta 

Guava 


Bactrocera 

latifrons 

Solanum 

or 

Malaysian y 


Bactrocera cucurbitae 

Melon Fly

Ceratitis: Mediterranean Fruit Fly on Apple

�� Si Size 

Genus: Ceratitis 

• 78 species, 9 pests 


• Ethiopian Region 


• C. capitata (Mediterranean Mediterranean Fruit Fly Fly) 

• C. rosa (Natal Natal Fruit Fly Fly)

Ceratitis capitata Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Ceratitis rosa 

Natal Fruit Fly

Life Cycle: Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Adult Mediterranean Fruit Fly on Citrus Host

Fruit Fly Oviposition Damage on Grapefruit

Fruit Fly Eggs 

Eggs are deposited inside host fruit

Fruit Fly Larvae 

Fruit fly larvae develop inside host fruit

Third Instar Larva Damage in Grapefruit

Fruit Fly Pupae 

Fruit fly pupae are found in the soil beneath host

Fruit Fruit Fly Fly Attraction Attraction Arsenal 

Trimedlure Methyl Eugenol Cuelure 

Mediterranean Oriental FF 

FF 

Peach FF 

Natal FF Ceratitis 

punctata 

Melon FF 

Queensland FF 

Other Dacus & 

p Bactrocera 

Food baits (e.g. torula yeast) attract females of most 

species of fruit flies flies, including those such as the genus 

Anastrepha that do not respond to any known 

synthetic lure (parapheromone). 

(parapheromone)

Trap 

Types/ 

Baits 

Target g 

Pest 

Common 

Jackson Trap Baited 

with Trimedlure plug 

Trap Types, Target Pest and Selected Host 


with Cuelure 


With Methyl Eugenol 

Medfly 

Melon Fly 

Oriental Fruit Flyy 

Natal Fly & other 

Ceratitus spp. not 

pictured 

Host Sour Orange 

Calamondin 

Grapefruit 

Guava 

Mango 

Loquat 

Rose Apple 

Tropical almond 

Queensland Fruit 

Fly not pictured 

Mango 

SSweet t OOrange g 

Cucumber 

Melons 

Peach 

Papaya 

Other Bactrocera spp 

not pictured 

Avocado 

Calamondin 

Carambola 

Fi Fig 

Guava 

Loquat 

Longan 

Lychee 

Sweet Orange 

Peach 

Sour Orange 

Tropical-almond 

Multi-Lure 

Trap 

Dual 

purposeTrap 

used in Medfly y 

Preventative 

release 

programs to 

detect wild flies. 

Also used for 

detection of 

Mexican Fruit 

Flies & other 

Anastrepha spp. 

McPhail Trap 

Used 

forAnastrepha 

spp spp.. 

Used in 

emergency 

programs and as 

a general 

detection trap. 

Mexican Fruit Fly 

Avocado 

Grapefruit 

Mango 

Peach 

Sweet orange 

Rose Apple

Jackson Trap baited with: 

Trimedlure, Methyl Eugenol or Cuelure

Multi Multi-lure lure trap baited baited with: 

with: 

Three component synthetic lure

McPhail trap baited with torula yeast tablets

DETERMINE TARGET AREAS

ESTABLISH 

PROTOCOLS

CRITERIA DEFINITIONS 

Criteria I International Ports of Entry plus one mile 

surrounding the Port 

Criteria II Areas presenting high risk of illegal fruit introduction 

that may contain larvae. This would include all 

ddensely l populated l t d areas of f the th State, St t with ith 

coverage at local airports, private 

marinas, foreign labor camps and at fruit vendors 

known to handle International shipments. 

Criteria III Home sites on primary and secondary roads in rural 

areas where host are located. Consider businesses 

such as truck stops, markets, gas stations and other 

places people may congregate if host are available. 

Commercial fruit and vegetable production areas. 

Criteria IV Sections of land that are not accessible for trapping. 

This would include lakes, airport runways, and 

hheavily il forested f t d areas.

State S and 

Federal Fruit Fly 

Trapping in 

Florida

Anastrepha Eradication Program Protocol 

Delimitation Delimitation Survey for for: for for: : Guava Guava Fruit Fly Fly, Mexican Fruit Fly Fly, South American Fruit Fly Fly, 

West Indian Fruit Fly 

INSPECTION FREQUENCY: CORE traps are checked daily during the initial 77-day day period, period 

then serviced weekly. In the remainder of the array, traps are checked the day after initial 

placement, and then they are serviced every 7 days until eradication is declared. Only 

remove captures and replace the same liquid. Change the liquid and rebait every 7 days 

(weekly) (weekly).

Bactrocera or Dacus Species Responding to Cuelure 

Eradication Program Protocol 

Delimitation Survey for: Melon Fly, Queensland Fruit Fly, Lesser Queensland Fruit Fly, 

Pumpkin Fruit Fly. 

INSPECTION FREQUENCY : Core serviced every 3-4 days until first treatment, or as specified by the Scientific 

Advisory Committee. Following treatment, all traps in the array are run weekly.

Bactrocera or Dacus Species Responding to Methyl Eugenol 

Eradication Program Protocol 

Delimitation Survey for: Oriental Fruit Fly, Carambola Fruit Fly, Guava Fruit Fly, 

Peach Fruit Fly, Papaya Fruit Fly.

Medfly Eradication Program Protocol 

Delimitation Survey: When a Medfly is collected in an area that is 

not under the Preventative Release Program

MEDFLY ERADICATION PROGRAM 

Under the Preventive Release Program g 

Delimitation Survey: When a wild Medfly is detected in an area that is already 

under a sterile Medfly preventative release program, the total trap array 

sequence covers 9 square miles. 

il

Florida Exotic Fruit Fly Program

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