Operationalize the use of male annihilation technique against trimedlure-responding tephritid fruit flies, especially medfly (ceratitis capitata)

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the University of California Office of the President, Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources, a $392,448 cooperative agreement on November 1, 2025, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The award funds field research to operationalize the male annihilation technique against Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) and related tephritid fruit flies. The project will test ISCA's HOOK TML, a commercial product, to determine optimal application densities for efficient Medfly eradication. Researchers will also perform field optimization of SPLAT-MAT-TML deployment to identify the most effective application density against C. capitata. The expected outcome is an optimized eradication tool for USDA's pest management arsenal, improving efficiency and reducing costs of Medfly eradication programs that occur almost annually. Beneficiaries include USDA, states, and agricultural industries.

Work is performed in California. The period of performance runs through October 31, 2027.

The project will test a new, commercial product, isca's hook TML, to determine the best application densities for efficient eradication of medfly. In a second objective, the researchers will perform field optimization of splat-mat-TML deployment to determine which application density is most effective against c. Capitata. The expected outcomes will be a state-of-the-art, optimized eradication tool in USDA's toolbox to improve efficiency and reduce costs of medfly eradication programs that occur almost annually. Beneficiaries will include USDA, states, and industries that will benefit from efficient eradication of these pests.