Release of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), using an automated ground release vehicle

A trial was conducted in Tampa, Florida to test an automated ground release machine as an alternative to aerial methods for release of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Twenty-four Jackson traps baited with trimedlure at three release sites yielded lower than expected numbers of ground released Medflies. Recaptures per trap ranged from 2.8 (+/-0.7 S.E.) to 6.8 (+/-1.7 S.E.). Average recovery of sterile flies at each site for all releases combined (144 observations) was similar, 3.4 (+/-0.5 S.E), 4.4 (+/-0.5 S.E), 4.5 (+/-0.5 S.E.) for sites 1, 2 and 3 respectively. There was a significant reduction in flight ability from 67.5 (+/-2.1 S.E) to 53.6 (+/-2.9 S.E)% from the time of pre-chilling to when immobilized flies were released after 2.5 h in the release container. Further tests are needed to determine what mortality factors may influence recovery and how the automated ground release machine compares to the aerial release method.