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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227335
Title: Signature Chemicals for Detection of Hidden Insect Infestation

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item RODA, A - USDA APHIS PPQ
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Schnell, Elena
item Vazquez, Aime
item WEIHMAN, S - USDA AHIS PPQ
item HALITSCHKE, R - CORNELL UNIVERISITY
item Epsky, Nancy
item Heath, Robert

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2008
Publication Date: 7/14/2008
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Roda, A.L., Montgomery, W.S., Schnell, E.Q., Vazquez, A., Weihman, S.W., Halitschke, R., Epsky, N.D., Heath, R.R. 2008. Signature Chemicals for Detection of Hidden Insect Infestation. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting.

Interpretive Summary: a

Technical Abstract: Tephritid fruit flies are major pests worldwide, but infestation is difficult to detect since the larval stages are concealed within host fruits. Using grapefruit infested with the Caribbean fruit fly, we evaluated gas chromatography (GC) as a tool for detection of hidden infestation. We found several GC peaks potentially diagnostic for larval-infested citrus. If infested commodities consistently release unique chemical profiles, this "signature" may provide the basis for rapid, sensitive screening protocols.