DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED TRAPPING SYSTEMS FOR INVASIVE FRUIT FLIES THAT THREATEN U.S. AGRICULTURE

The objective of this cooperative research project is to develop improved fruit fly trapping and control systems and integrated pest management programs for control of exotic fruit flies that threaten U.S. agriculture. Populations of fruit flies that are not found in the continental US, but that are of quarantine concern for US agriculture, are endemic in Honduras. These include Mediterranean fruit flies, Mexican fruit flies, West Indian fruit flies and guava fruit flies. The research objective is to determine effective sampling area of traps and lures developed by the scientists at SHRS and to assess antennal sensitivity to food-based lures.