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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #197048
Title: BACKYARD COMPOSTING OF INFESTED FRUIT: A POTENTIAL PATHWAY FOR INTRODUCTION OF ANASTREPHA FRUIT FLIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) INTO FLORIDA

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item HENNESSEY, MICHAEL - APHIS-PPQ
item JONES, EDWARD - APHIS-PPQ
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2006
Publication Date: 7/24/2006
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Hennessey, M.K., Jones, E.M., Montgomery, W.S., Epsky, N.D. 2006. Backyard composting of infested fruit: a potential pathway for introduction of anastrepha fruit flies (diptera: tephritidae) into Florida. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: n

Technical Abstract: Disposal of infested fruit directly into the environment is a potential pathway for pest introduction. This study estimated the likelihood of exotic fruit flies entering south Florida through backyard composting. Grapefruits infested with Caribbean fruit fly larvae, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), were discarded on outdoor compost piles and adult emergence was monitored for 30 days. Despite high mortality (~90%) from compost relative to control fruits, potentially-mated females emerged from 18 of 40 (45%) replicate compost piles.