DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT TECHNIQUE BY CHI LLING FOR MELON FLY, BACTROCERA-CUCURBITAE COQUILLETT (DIPTELA, DEPHRITIDAE)

To evaluate the effect of chilling on mass-reared melon fly, Bactrocer a cucurbitae Coq., groups of adult flies were exposed to 3, 0.5, -2.2 and -3.5-degrees-C for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The recovery and longevity of adult chilled for less than 24 h at about 0.5-degrees-C was not adv ersely affected. A special container for chilled flies, which was able to keep the temperature below 10-degrees-C for 4 h, was designed for their long-distance transport. The longevities of flies using aerial d istribution by helicopter and hand release on the ground using the chi lled transport container were compared with direct release from an eme rgence box without chilling at Miyagi Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Th ere were no significant differences in longevity between the three rel ease methods.