Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #346710
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Monitoring and application of reduced-risk pesticides for managing Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Author
item YEBOAH, SIMON - University Of Florida
item Epsky, Nancy
item LEPPLA, NORMAN - University Of Florida
item CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida
item LUBURD, OSCAR - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2017
Publication Date: 7/1/2017
Citation: Yeboah, S., Epsky, N.D., Leppla, N., Carrillo, D., Luburd, O. 2017. Monitoring and application of reduced-risk pesticides for managing Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae. Joint Meeting of the Florida Entomological Society and the Caribbean Food Crops Society, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. July 16-22, 2017

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Tropical guava, Psidium guajava, is an important fruit crop that is rich in several nutrients including vitamin C. In the U. S. it is commonly cultivated in southern Florida, Texas and California. Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa Loew, is a key pest of tropical guava, causing significant yield and quality losses annually. Current management practices rely heavily on the application of conventional insecticides, leading to harmful effects on non-target organisms including humans, and beneficial insects. Pesticides also cause negative effects on the environment leading to ground water contamination and contributes to pesticide resistance. The objective of this study was to compare different lures for monitoring A. suspensa population. Secondly, to screen reduced-risk insecticides for managing A. suspensa populations as part of IPM program. Standard A. suspensa lures (BioLure [B. W. MFG Inc., Fresno, CA] and Torula yeast + borax) were compared with Scentry® (two-component and three-component) lures using MultiLure traps for monitoring A. suspensa in a guava orchard. BioLure was more significant in capturing A. suspensa flies, with the least being the Scentry® two-component lure. Laboratory based bioassays showed that Malathion was the most effective conventional insecticide. Among the reduced-risk insecticides, Azera® recorded the highest mortality of A. suspensa flies, followed by Entrust. However, due to the relatively high photodegradation rate of Azera®, Entrust was selected for further study as part of the IPM program. Effective monitoring, coupled with the efficient application of reduced-risk insecticides hold a greater potential for managing A. suspensa flies in guava orchards.