ABSTRACT
The eradication of Mediterannean fruit fly populations has occurred several times through the sole use of insecticide bait sprays or with a combination of bait-sprays and the release of sterile flies. Quality control is the mechanism for identifying problems in a mass-reared colony of Mediterannean fruit fly, measuring the problems, and correcting the inadequacies that create problems. Tests have been and are being developed to quantify quality evaluations. Quality control manuals have been developed to standardize procedures from one facility to another. A standardized method of random sampling was established to assure that the samples were representative of the pupal population being used in the quality control tests. The ability of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies to fly after they have been released in the program is an essential attribute. The quality control section essential for any large insect control program involving mass-reared insects has been received and accepted by technical personnel, mass rearing specialists and midlevel managers.
