The use of SIT to prevent exotic fruit fly establishment in the United States

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used successfully in the United States since 1975 to prevent the establishment of exotic fruit flies. The states of California and Florida have ongoing Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) SIT programs in high risk introduction areas to prevent the formation of breeding populations when new introductions occur. These two states also rely on SIT to eradicate incipient populations of this species in these areas and elsewhere as they are discovered. The state of Texas has used SIT for several years to both suppress Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) populations in citrus production areas and to eradicate populations found outside these areas, and is now embarking on a program integrating the SIT to permanently eradicate this fly from the state and north-western Mexico. California has likewise used SIT to eradicate occasional Mexican fruit fly introductions.