A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO MITIGATE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY RISK IN 'SHARWIL' AVOCADOS EXPORTED FROM HAWAII

Abstract

A multi-component systems approach is proposed to reduce the risk of oriental fruit fly infestation in 'Sharwil' avocados exported from Hawaii into the United States to an acceptable level. This systems approach is based on poor host status, limited distribution and low prevalence. Recent surveys suggest oriental fruit fly populations are naturally low in Hawaii's small avocado orchards. Maintaining low oriental fruit fly numbers in orchards during the shipping period should reduce the rate of infestation to negligible levels. Population levels will be monitored using protein bait traps and if needed, suppression will be achieved using selective reduced-risk insecticide baits. 'Sharwil' avocados will be shipped only to northern tier states and will only be shipped during the winter months of November to March, when temperatures in the distribution area are inhospitable to tropical fruit pests. The cumulative effect of multiple safeguards should provide quarantine security against oriental fruit fly and other quarantine pests in exported avocados.