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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403000
Research Project: Mitigation of Invasive Pest Threats to U.S. Subtropical Agriculture

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Identification of environmentally friendly alternatives for management of Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa

Author
item Yang, Xiangbing
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item Kendra, Paul

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America, International Branch Virtual Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/6/2023
Publication Date: 4/25/2023
Citation: Yang, X., Tabanca, N., Kendra, P.E. 2023. Identification of environmentally friendly alternatives for management of Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa. Entomological Society of America, International Branch Virtual Symposium.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract Only.

Technical Abstract: The Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), is a pest of over 100 fruit crops, including guava and citrus grown commercially in Florida, USA. Management of tephritid fruit flies often relies on bait sprays that incorporate synthetic insecticides. However, extensive use of these conventional insecticides has led to development of pesticide resistance in target species, contamination of the environment, and harmful effects on non-target organisms. Many plant extracted essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated toxic effects against insect pests, and therefore show promise as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional insecticides. In this study, we evaluated the toxicities of EOs from (a) Juniperus foetidissima (extracted from leaf and fruit), (b) German, Roman, and Chinese chamomile (extracted from flowers), and (c) 13 phthalimide derivatives against adult female A. suspensa to determine their potential as biopesticides. Toxicity of each EO and synthetic phthalimide was determined using a topical bioassay. The results showed that the EOs from juniper, particularly fruit EO, and all three chamomile species showed strong toxicities against A. suspensa. In addition, three of the phthalimide derivatives showed strong toxicities similar to that observed with the EOs tested. Therefore, this study identifies several promising candidates for further evaluation as environmentally sound alternatives to conventional pesticides for control of A. suspensa and related fruit fly pests.