Hot air disinfestation of Australian 'Kensington' mangoes against two fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Heating ‘Kensington’ mangoes by means of a hot-air circulatory system at >95% RH to a core temperature of 47 °C which was then held for 15 min was shown to meet requirements for a quarantine disinfestation treatment against Bactrocera tryoni, Queensland fruit fly and Ceratitis capitata, Mediterranean fruit fly. The treatment is currently in use for exports from Australia to Japan. Efficacy exceeded probit 9 and the treatment should be widely acceptable in international trade. There were no survivors from an estimated 132 677 eggs of the Queensland fruit fly. At 46.5 °C held for 10 min, there was one survivor from 205 425 eggs, no survivors from 110 045 third instars of Queensland fruit fly and no survivors from 165 615 eggs of Mediterranean fruit fly so this lower schedule would meet the requirements of countries with a minimum disinfestation treatment efficacy of probit 9. The 47 °C schedule is required for Japan which does not accept a critical fruit fly pest treatment in which any survivors have occurred.