The eradication projects and preventative control of quarantine pests in Okinawa, Japan

Abstract

Of the several exotic insect species in Japan, five quarantine plant pest taxa: the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis complex, the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, the solanaceous fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons, the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, and the West Indian sweet potato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus, have been targeted in eradication programs using the male annihilation technique (MAT) and/or the sterile insect technique (SIT). Although all targeted fruit flies have successfully been eradicated, the incidences of re-invasion by Bactrocera dorsalis complex have been increasing in recent years, indicating the necessity for reinforcement and improvement of countermeasures for fruit fly re-invasion and/or recolonization. The program targeted at C. formicarius achieved the goal of complete eradication in Kume Island. The program for E. postfasciatus has yet to achieve eradication, even though it was initiated at the same time as that for C. formicarius. Major technical improvements are required for successful eradication of E. postfasciatus.