Single-Temperature Forced Hot-Air Quarantine Treatment To Control Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Papaya

Abstract

A single air temperature, forced hot-air treatment was developed to control Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. (Wiedemann), melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), and oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), eggs and larvae in Hawaii-grown papaya, Carica papaya L., ‘Kapoho Solo.’ The treatment forced 48.5 ± 0.5 hot air with 40-60% RH over the papayas until the fruit center temperatures reached 47.2. The treatment time required to heat the fruit centers to 47.2 and provide probit 9 quarantine security was 3.5 ± 0.25 h. Fruit fly survival occurred in tests using a shorter treatment time of 2.5 ± 0.25 h although the fruit center temperatures were 47.2. When the fruit center temperatures reached 47.2, the papayas were immediately hydrocooled until the fruit center temperatures were ≥30. The single air temperature forced hot-air treatment did not damage the fruit.