Gamma Irradiation—A Quarantine Treatment for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables?

Abstract

Abstract The multibillion-dollar United States fresh fruit and vegetable industries are under threat because of actual or potential quarantines that may be imposed within hours or days if any one of many insect pests are introduced (40; P.V. Vail, personal communication). California, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii are particularly vulnerable because their climates are favorable for fruit fly species, and important shares of their produce enter into interstate and international trade. The 1980-82 California infestation by the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.), was eradicated. The Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), is currently being fought in Florida and the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), poses a problem in Texas. In Hawaii, 3 fruit flies are endemic. They are the Oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis (Hend.), the melon fly, Dacus cucurhitae (Coq.), as well as the Mediterranean fruit fly. The Queensland fruit fly, Strumeta tryoni (Froggatt), is endemic in parts of Australia and threatens to become much more widely distributed.