Improvement of Artificial Mass-Rearing Systems for the Ethiopian Fruit Fly, Dacus ciliatus, and Establishment of Optimal Sterilizing Doses: Towards a Small-Scale SIT (ISR5018)

摘要

The Ethiopian Fruit Fly (EFF) Dacus ciliatus is an important pest of Cucurbits (zucchinis, melons, watermelons, cucumbers, etc.) throughout Asia and Africa. Several years ago the fly invaded the south of Israel, where it has been contained to date. At the request of Israel a project was approved aimed at developing the SIT against this pest. Main goals are: to develop an artificial mass rearing system, and to determine an effective irradiation dose to sterilize the fly; an additional aim is to isolate and characterize chemical volatiles emitted by the fly (pheromones) with the objective to develop an attractant for this fly.