ABSTRACT

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is one of the most effective methods to control tephritid pests. However, sustainable production and release of sterilized insects is economically costly. Recently, a new approach incorporating interspecific negative mating interaction, known as reproductive interference, into a pest control program using regular SIT (called “sterile interference”) has been proposed. Sterile interference would add value to regular SIT because one could control multiple pest species by releasing only the sterile insect of the main target species. To verify the effectiveness of the combined approach for a pest control program, we conducted a simulation analysis. The result suggests that, even with weak reproductive interference, it is possible to control, with an acceptable level, both the wild-type of the main target species and a closely related pest species just by increasing sterile release. Additionally, when both species can be eradicated, the eradication occurred almost simultaneously. We conclude that this new approach may help to develop a more cost-effective and value-added pest management program.