The Hawaii Fruit Fly Area-Wide Pest Management Program: Accomplishments and Future Directions

Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and the so-called Malaysian (solanaceous) fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), have accidentally become established in Hawaii, and attack more than 400 different host fruits. These fruit flies inhibit development of a diversified tropical fruit and vegetable industry, require that commercial fruits undergo quarantine treatment prior to export, and provide a breeding reservoir for their introduction into other parts of the world. Present fruit fly control measures in Hawaii rely heavily on the application of organophosphate insecticides to crops. In 1999 a 5 yr Area-Wide Pest Management (AWPM) program was initiated for management of fruit flies in Hawaii. The AWPM program integrated two or more control components (field sanitation, protein bait sprays, male annihilation, sterile insects, and parasitoids) into a comprehensive package that has been economically viable, environmentally acceptable, and sustainable. The program has resulted in areawide suppression of fruit flies, a reduction in the use of organophosphate insecticides, and the impetus for further growth and development of diversified agriculture in Hawaii.