Abstract: The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, and their associated parasitoids were monitored on untreated fruits from mostly deciduous trees grown in the Kula area of Maui, Hawaii, from 1978 through 1981. Biosteres oophilus Fullaway, an egg-larval parasitoid, was predominant and accounted for ca. 80% of the total parasitization. On occasion, parasitization of 32 and 8% was reached by the larval-pupal parasitoids B. longicaudatus Ashmead and B. tryoni Cameron, respectively. These results suggest that the use of parasitoids to suppress both fruit fly species might be effective and ecologically acceptable.

Abstract: The response of tephritid fruit flies to variously coloured sticky traps was studied in the field in southeastern Queensland over three seasons (1978-81). Three species, Dacus tryoni (Froggatt), D. neohumeralis Hardy and D. cacuminatus (Hering), made up the majority of the flies captured. On a per unit area basis, a sticky flat trap was more efficient than a sticky wing trap and was adopted as the trap design. Daylight fluorescent (DF) Saturn Yellow captured significantly more flies than any of the other ten colours, or perspex and aluminium foil, tested, although the DF colours Lime, Blaze Orange and Emerald were also attractive. There was a significant correlation between the number of flies captured by a colour and the difference, in nanometres, between the peak reflected wavelength of the colour and 550 nm which is quoted as the peak wavelength reflected by green leaves. The three species did not differ in their responses to the coloured traps, and more males than females were captured. When either cuelure or methyl eugenol was added to the sticky traps no one colour emerged as significantly superior, but the yellow, and yellow/green DF colours consistently caught more flies. The attractiveness of coloured traps declined as the number of flies captured increased. The efficiency of Steiner and McPhail traps was not increased by the addition of any attractive colour. Of various possible trap shapes of equivalent surface area, circular and square traps captured more flies than did triangular, rectangular and diamond shaped traps. When spheres were tested, those of 10 cm diameter captured more flies than those of 5 cm diameter, and more flies were caught on black, than on yellow or green spheres.

Abstract: Fruit flies of the family Tephritidae have been well researched for several decades because they include pests of many cultivated plants. Examples are the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wied., which feeds on a broad range of fruits, the olive fruit fly Dacus oleae Gmel., the European cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cerasi L., and the apple maggot fly Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh. Other Tephritids which feed on weeds are host specific and therefore potential agents in biological control. Because of their economic importance detailed research has been carried out on Tephritid physiology, ecology, genetics, and evolution.

Abstract: Fortnightly fruit fly captures for a 2-year period at Cooloola (south-east Queensland) contained 11 species. Three species, viz., D. tryoni, D. neohumeralis and D. endiandrae predominated. The peak trap catches of 7 species corresponded with the peak fruiting times of their major hosts. There was no direct relationship between temperature and rainfall and the variations in population numbers. The host plants of some species do not grow in the Cooloola area and there is evidence that large numbers of flies migrate into the region from other breeding areas up to 100 km away. Pockets of tropical rainforest such as Cooloola could be important adult fruit fly feeding areas even in the absence of larval host plants.

Abstract: Data are presented for the thermal stresses which induce mortality in eggs and larvae of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel. Thermal treatment of the fruit, including exposure to microwave radiation and a hot water dip, resulted in mortality at the probit 9 level for egg-infested papaya fruit.

Abstract: Dacus cucurbitae is a serious pest of various types of fleshy fruits and vegetables. The mitotic and salivary chromosomes were reinvestigated using the air-drying and different (C-and H-) banding techniques with a view to rectify the existing controversy regarding the Indian populations of this species. A standard map of its salivary chromosomes was constructed and some important identifiable landmarks were recognized in each arm.

Abstract: Seven natural populations of Dacus dorsalis were analysed for phosphoglucomutase by means of horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic phenotypes were governed by four codominant Pgm alleles. The commonest allele in all the seven population samples was PgmB which encoded an electrophoretic band with intermediate mobility. The distributions of PGM phenotype were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. There was geographic variation in the distribution of Pgm alleles.

Abstract: 1. Six natural populations of Dacus dorsalis were analysed for isocitrate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase by means of horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis. 2. Isocitrate dehydrogenase phenotypes were governed by three codominant alleles, while phosphogluconate dehydrogenase phenotypes were governed by four alleles. 3. The commonest Idh and Pgd alleles encoded an electrophoretic band with intermediate mobility. 4. Isocitrate dehydrogenase had lower heterozygosity than phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. 5. There was geographic variation in the distribution of Pgd alleles.

Abstract: Dipping of tomatoes for 3 min. in a solution of dimethoate of 425 mg/litre strength was shown to be effective against infestations of Queensland fruit fly. An efficacy standard of no survivors in 30 000 individuals treated was achieved; dimethoate residues were below the relevant maximum residue limit of 1 mg/kg, and no taint was produced in green or ripe fruit.

Abstract: Studies conducted on evaluation of insecticides as foliar sprays during fruiting period of mango against mango fruitfly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel in 1982 and 1983 revealed that deltamethrin (0.0025 per cent), fenthion (0.05 per cent), carbaryl (0.1 per cent) and dimethoate (0.03 per cent) were the most effective insecticides and were statistically at par. Considering the economics of treatments, alternate sprays of fenthion (0.05 per cent) and dimethoate (0.03 per cent) at fortnightly interval starting from first week of April are recommended for effective and economic control of the fruitfly.

Abstract: Mediterranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitata [Wiedemann]), the oriental fruit fly ( Dacus dorsalis Hendel), and the melon fly ( D. cucurbitae Coquillett) were reared on the same artificial diet. The species were similar in duration of the larval and pupal stages, and the date of adult emergence. The species differed most notably in duration of the egg stage, preoviposition period, mean number of eggs laid, and adult longevity. Highest mortalities for all three species occurred during the larval stage. C. capitata , with the shortest mean generation time ( T = 31.5 days) and the second highest net reproductive rate ( Ro = 317.5), possessed the highest intrinsic rate of increase ( rm = 0.18). D. dorsalis , with the highest Ro (418.5) but a longer generation time ( T = 37.4), possessed the second highest rm (0.16). D. cucurbitae , with a comparatively low Ro (255.4) and a long T (37.3), had the lowest rm (0.15). These demographic parameters are discussed with respect to the simultaneous rearing of all three species in a common insectary.

Abstract: In 1982 the oriental fruit fly, Dacus (Bactrocera) dorsalis Hendel, was successfully eradicated from the Okinawa Islands, Japan, by a male annihilation method using wood fiberboard squares in which methyl eugenol and naled were incorporated. To achieve successful eradication, a sufficient dose of lure-toxicant was necessary. Until the number of male flies caught in monitor traps was reduced by ca. 1/100 of that before control, no detectable reduction of infestation level of host fruits was found. Because eradication was achieved, quarantine regulation and preventive control should be implemented to prevent infiltration and reestablishment of the fly from adjacent, infested islands.