Splat-MAT-Spinosad-ME: a new control strategy for Bactrocera species attacking mango

Authors: GOMEZ, L. - Dow Agro Sciences; LYSANDRAOU, M. - Dow Agro Sciences; Vargas, Roger; DRIPPS, J. - Dow Agro Sciences; HUANG - Dow Agro Sciences; YADAV, M. - Dow Agro Sciences; VENKATA, N.K. - Dow Agro Sciences

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/20/2014
Publication Date: 1/20/2015
Citation: Gomez, L.E., Lysandraou, M., Vargas, R.I., Dripps, J.E., Huang, X., Yadav, M.R., Venkata, N.B. 2015. Splat-MAT-Spinosad-ME: a new control strategy for Bactrocera species attacking mango. Acta Horticulturae. 1066:161-167.

Interpretive Summary: Worldwide, an important aspect of invasive fruit fly control or eradication is the development of more effective and safer control systems. Current control tactics for control of fruit flies attacking mangoes include insecticide cover sprays, baits containing insecticides, and male annihilation techniques (MATs) that utilize pyrethroid and organophosphorus (OP) insecticides. Dow AgroSciences and ISCA Technologies in cooperation with ARS-Hilo, HI scientists developed SPLAT-MAT Spinosad ME (now known as STATIC(TM) Spinosad ME); a novel, sprayable MAT technology that matches and exceeds the performance of existing pyrethroid and organophosphate based options. Spinosad, a green chemistry insecticide, is the toxicant and methyl eugenol (ME) is the attractant. SPLAT, an amorphous polymer mixture that acts as a passive dispenser, is the basis of the formulation. The benefits of this novel, green chemistry-based MAT technology include reduced application costs, elimination of insecticide residues on fruit, increased marketable fruit, and reduction of infested fruit being transported to market.

Technical Abstract: Bactrocera dorsalis, the Oriental fruit fly, and Bactrocera zonata, the peach fruit fly, are major insect pests of mango in many countries. Current control tactics include insecticide cover sprays, baits containing insecticides, and male annihilation techniques (MATs) that utilize pyrethroid and organophosphorus (OP) insecticides. Dow AgroSciences and ISCA Technologies have developed SPLAT-MAT™ Spinosad ME (now known as STATIC(TM) Spinosad ME); a novel, sprayable MAT technology that matches and exceeds the performance of existing pyrethroid and OP-based options. Spinosad, a green chemistry insecticide, is the toxicant and methyl eugenol (ME) is the attractant. SPLAT, an amorphous polymer mixture that acts as a passive dispenser, is the basis of the formulation. It protects the components from environmental degradation and meters release of the attractant and toxicant, making these effective for a longer period of time. SPLAT-MAT(TM) Spinosad ME attracts male fruit flies from long distances, making it suitable for off-crop applications and eliminating insecticide and attractant residues on fruit. SPLAT-MAT(TM) Spinosad ME was evaluated in Hawaii, USA, to assess residual control and rainfastness. SPLAT-MAT(TM) Spinosad ME and Min-U-Gel+naled+methyl eugenol were aged for up to 12 weeks, with average monthly rainfall of >150 mm during the trial period. Samples were exposed weekly to endemic B.dorsalis populations. SPLAT-MAT(TM) Spinosad ME had similar performance to Min-U-Gel+naled+methyl eugenol during the first 6 weeks and outperformed Min-U-Gel+naled+methyl eugenol from weeks 7 through 12. In field trials conducted in Pakistan, a single application of SPLAT-MAT(TM) Spinosad ME provided better control of B. zonata than 4 to 5 weekly cover sprays of Dipterex. SPLAT-MAT(TM) Spinosad ME is currently registered in the USA, and is being tested in other countries. The benefits of this novel, green chemistry-based MAT technology include reduced application costs, elimination of insecticide residues on fruit, increased marketable fruit, and reduction of infested fruit being transported to market.