Wednesday, December 13, 2006
D0557

Sterile insect technique for pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) eradication - Expansion to central Arizona

Michelle Walters, michelle.l.walters@aphis.usda.gov, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Center for Plant Health, Science and Technology, Decision Support and Pest Management Systems Lab, 3645 E. Wier Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, Larry Antilla, lantilla@azcotton.org, Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, 3721 E. Wier Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, David Pierce, david.l.pierce@aphis.usda.gov, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Arizona State Plant Health Director's office, 3658 E. Chipman, Phoenix, AZ, Robert Staten, azbugdoc@cox.net, Universitiy of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Maricopa Center, 37860 W Smith Enke Rd, Maricopa, AZ, Ernie D. Miller, ernie.d.miller@aphis.usda.gov, USDA-APHIS, PPQ, Pink Bollworm Rearing Facility, 3645 E. Chipman Ave, Phoenix, AZ, and David W. Bartels, david.w.bartels@aphis.usda.gov, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, Pest Detection, Diagnostic & Management Lab, Moore Air Base, Edinburg, TX.

Sterile Insect Technology is a critical component of an area-wide pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)) eradication program in the southwestern US and northern Mexico. The program involves growers, state, federal and international cooperators, and was proposed by the National Cotton Council’s Pink Bollworm Action Committee. Sterile insects were released over cotton fields for the entire growing season. Populations of wild and sterile moths were monitored with pheromone baited traps and boll samples. The role and effects of releasing sterile moths is discussed.


Species 1: Lepidoptera Gelechiidae Pectinophora gossypiella (pink bollworm)