Zeugodacus cucurbitae, the melon fly. This is one of the five invasive tephritid fruit flies of economic importance established in the Hawaiian islands. TCCPRU research supports maintaining the mainland U.S. free of this and other important quarantine pest fruit flies. Photo: S. Sim
Post-harvest treatment of mixed fruit. TCCPRU researchers have enabled safe export of tropical commodities such as these by studying effective treatments that can be used against a variety of pests. Photo: M. Wall.
Fruit fly parasitoids ovipositing in rearing. Techniques to mass produce braconid biological control agents such as these have a long history in the unit. Photo: N Manoukis.
Predator feeding on larvae of Coffee Berry Borer (CBB), a serious invasive pest of coffee that was introduced to Hawaii in 2010. TCCPRU research has found ways to use these predators to help control CBB populations inexpensively. Photo: P Follett.
MISSION
The mission of the Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research Unit is to develop pre and postharvest technologies and management strategies for invasive pests, and to open and maintain market access and improved quality of tropical fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops grown in the Pacific Basin.
