A Review of Research Done with the Mexican Fruit Fly and the Citrus Blackfly in Mexico by the Entomology Research Division

Abstract

Attempts to eradicate the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), which was discovered infesting citrus in Texas in 1927 (unpublished reports), were not successful. Suspecting that the pest might be drifting in from its place of origin in Mexico, a commission of entomologists was sent to its native country where investigations could be made. An informal cooperative agreement was therefore made between the Mexican and American governments, and the Mexican Fruit Fly Laboratory (Laboratorio Entomologico) was opened in Mexico City Nov. 22, 1928. It was originally staffed by American entomologists supported by Mexican professionals and subprofessionals. When the laboratory was closed Sept. 30, 1968, much of the equipment was transferred to the Mexican College of Agriculture at Chapingo where the work with the Mexican fruit fly is being continued by entomologists of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agricolas. Throughout all the 40 years of the life of the laboratory, the informal cooperation between the Mexican Defensa Agricola (now the Sanidad Vegetal) and the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA has been the major factor in the success of the investigations of the Mexican fruit fly and in the containment of the citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, a dangerout pest present in Mexico but not the United States. The experience has also contributed greatly to mutual international respect and goodwill.