Mass rearing and sterile insect releases for the control of Anastrepha spp. pests in Mexico – a review

The sterile insect technique (SIT) requires the rearing, sterilization, and release of large numbers of insects to induce sterility within wild pest populations. In 1992, the Mexican government launched a national campaign against economically important fruit fly pests, with the aim of establishing free areas and strengthening fruit exports. To achieve these objectives, the Moscafrut facility began operations in 1993 with the mass rearing of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae: Toxotrypanini) and in 2002 with Anastrepha obliqua (McQuart). Field releases of sterile insects began in the north of the country, and currently 51% of the country is free of these pests. In this review, we describe the mass‐rearing process and the quality control tests used in the production of the above‐mentioned species. As a case study, we also describe the achievements of applying the SIT against A. ludens populations in the citrus‐growing zone of the state of San Luis Potosí, which has resulted in dramatic reductions in both wild fly populations and the use of chemical sprays. We discuss the implications, achievements, and perspectives regarding the use of this technology to control Anastrepha pests in Mexico.