Problems Encountered During Long-Term SIT Program in Japan

The first application of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to eradicate the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), in Japan was commenced in 1972 at the time Okinawa was returned to Japan by the USA. This chapter presents results of some experimental releases on Kudaka and Kume Islands. It discusses some of the problems which arose during our long-term SIT program and suggest some models which might explain some of these problems. The Kudaka-Kume experiment provided important information about application of the SIT for eradicating the island population of the melon fly. Continuous releases of sterile males would result in selection for wild females that were highly discriminant in mating against sterile males.