Biological Control Introductions Against Invasive Tephritid Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the US: Achievements, Opportunities, and Challenges

Biological control introduction is one of the safest, most environmentally benign, and cost-effective methods for sustainable and landscape-level management of invasive pests. Frugivorous tephritids are among the most diverse and economically important horticulture pests worldwide. The prominent groups of tephritid pests in the United States are invasive species of Afrotropical, Oriental, or Neotropical origin in the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, and Zeugodacus, as well as North American native Rhagoletis. In this chapter, we review and highlight major achievements of biological control of tephritid pests in the United States, especially for major invasive pests in Hawaii (Mediterranean fruit fly, melon fly, oriental fruit fly, and solanaceous fruit fly), California (olive fruit fly), Florida (Caribbean fruit fly), as well as cherry fruit flies on the mainland of the United States. We discuss current opportunities for biological control of the Mediterranean fruit fly, the melon fly, the olive fruit fly, and the solanaceous fruit fly, as well as some challenges for classical biological control (e.g., regulation issues, ecological factors, climatic changes). We hope to stimulate new interests, ideas, and future research directions to improve biological control of tephritid pests in the United States and globally.