ABSTRACT
Control methods against fruit flies rely on wide-spectrum insectides in bait sprays that are known to create ecological, toxicological and environmental problems. Cyromazine has also been shown to affect the fecundity of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, when fed at low concentrations. Anastrepha serpentina and A. ludens were obtained as pupae from the mass rearing stock maintained at the Mexico Medfly Program. Oviposition by females fed cyromazine continuously from 3 days of age was reduced up to 33% at the 0.1% concentration. The main effect of cyromazine was on the fertility, which was reduced drastically to 1.5% eclosion. The rate of infestation by Mexican fruit fly was highly affected by cyromazine. In the field test, a significant reduction in the degree of infestation of fruits attacked by A. ludens was found when they were bait-sprayed with cyromazine. Cyromazine is registered to control manure breeding flies and Liriomyza leaf miners.
