A transient entry of the fruit fly Bactrocera scutellata (Hendel) was recorded on 2 February 2018 in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico (the main port of entry for trade with Asia). In total, nine male specimens were caught in eight traps of the surveillance trapping and delimiting trapping system. The B. scutellata is considered to be one of the most important pests of cucurbits in Asia. The infestation was deemed eradicated on 30 September 2018 as nine biological cycles had elapsed without any additional detection since the last specimen had been captured on 25 April 2018.. The eradication was declared by the Plant Protection General Directorate SENASICA-SAGARPA, Mexico City, in an information note on 7 November 2018.
The use of the male annihilation technique (MAT) and delimiting trapping was intensified in the last six life cycles, following the recommendations of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture’s expert, who provided advice through the IAEA technical cooperation project RLA/5/070 “Strengthening Fruit Fly Surveillance and Control Measures Using the Sterile Insect Technique in an Area Wide and Integrated Pest Management Approach for the Protection and Expansion of Horticultural Production (ARCAL CXLI)”. Eradication actions were enacted according to the “Action Plan Against Bactrocera scutellata (Hendel) on National Territory” and based on the International Standards of Phytosanitary Measures N° 8 relative to the determination of pest status in an area; No. 9 relative to the directives for pest eradication programmes; and No 26 on the establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies.
