Eradication of Bactrocera papayae (Diptera: Tephritidae) by male annihilation and protein baiting in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

A national eradication campaign for B. papayae through male annihilation technique using fireboard blocks impregnated with the male lure methyl eugenol (13.5-15 ml) and malathion ULV (4.5-5 ml) supplemented with protein bait treatments (5 litres protein autolysate+2 litres malathion (500 g/litre) per 100 litres) on host trees, initiated in November 1995, was undertaken in Queensland, Australia. Barriers of blocks, ∼1 km wide, were placed from the coast to the mountain ranges in three separate areas between Babinda and Cardwell, near the southern limit of the Pest Quarantine Area (PQA). The protein bait treatments were carried out as spot leaf treatments (100 ml/tree). A total of 8947 B. papayae were caught in male lure traps in the first 5 months of the campaign, after which, the number of flies caught declined dramatically. By October 1996, overall trap catches had declined by 99.9% compared with the original levels. The general fruit survey resulted in 63 950 samples by mid-May, of which 254 produced B. papayae, representing 35 plant species from 14 families. Mango, banana (Musa paradisiaca), sea almond (Terminalia catappa) and guava were identified as the major hosts. In the rain forest survey, 12 500 samples were collected between January 1996 and June 1997, when the survey was terminated. None of the samples contained B. papayae. Although the number of B. papayae trapped or reared from fruits steadily declined during 1996, a resurgence was recorded at several foci around Cairns, Mareeba and Mossman during the peak fly season between November 1996 and March 1997. These were quickly controlled, the last records for B. papayae being 6 March 1997 for Mossman and 11 March 1997 for Mareeba. Populations in the Cairns area (northern beeches) lingered on until July, with the last trap detections being 16 June 1997 and the last detection in fruits (Passiflora suberosa) collected on 7 July 1997. Management strategies, such as monitoring programmes, quarantine and sterile insect technique, were also implemented in support to male annihilation and protein baiting programmes.