Pathogenicity of multiple Providencia species (Enterobacteriales: Morganellaceae) to the mass-reared Mexican fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens (Loew)) (Diptera: Tephritidae) represents a major threat to fruit production in the Western Hemisphere. Sterile insect technique is used to suppress and eradicate wild populations. Success of this control method necessitates weekly production of hundreds of millions of flies, their sterilization by irradiation, and their aerial release.

Pathogenicity of Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Other Yeast Species to Mexican Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Mass Rearing Implications.

Yeasts from all immature life stages of Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) from diet, insectary air, and rearing materials were isolated, identified and evaluated for pathogenicity. Fifteen species of yeasts with one to genus level were identified from 72 yeast cultures obtained. Zygosaccharomyces bailii was the only yeast found to be highly pathogenic to Mexican fruit fly.

Efficacy of ground spray application of bait sprays with malathion or spinosad on Mexican fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Texas citrus.

An important component in the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), eradication program is bait spray application to knock down localized A. ludens infestations enhancing the sterile to wild fly ratio and increasing the effectiveness of the sterile insect release program. Efficacy tests were conducted using spray equipment that applies ultralow application rates of malathion NU-LURE or GF-120 spinosad by ground into citrus.

Maximizing oviposition efficiency when mass rearing the coccinellid, Sasajiscymnus tsugae, a predator of the hemlock woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae.

Sasajiscymnus tsugae Sasaji and McClure (Coleeptera: Coccinellidae), is a biological control agent imported for management of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand. In mass rearing S. tsugae, accurate estimation of egg numbers is important because larvae are cannibalistic, especially at higher densities.