Recent Advances in the Study on Sterile Technique for the West Indian Sweet Potato Weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus

Effects of high CO2 on mating success, mating duration, and sperm transfer in the West Indian sweet potato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus

“…The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmental‐friendly pest control technique applied in area‐wide integrated control of key pests, including the suppression or elimination of introduced populations and the exclusion of new introductions (Dyck et al, 2005). In Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan, an eradication program for this weevil using SIT is now underway (Kuba et al, 2003) and the weevil is mass‐reared (Kumano, 2014). As mating with sterile males is a key factor determining the effectiveness of pest control using SIT (Knipling, 1955, 1979), an understanding of the mating system and behaviour of the target species is required (Knipling, 1979; Dyck et al, 2005; Itô & Yamamura, 2005).…”

“…Euscepes postfasciatus is mass‐reared for SIT by using economically cultured sweet potato roots (Kumano, 2014). In this process, inoculated sweet potato roots are boxed and stored in closed rearing rooms for 10 weeks (Kumano, 2014).…”

“…Euscepes postfasciatus is mass‐reared for SIT by using economically cultured sweet potato roots (Kumano, 2014). In this process, inoculated sweet potato roots are boxed and stored in closed rearing rooms for 10 weeks (Kumano, 2014). The CO 2 concentration inside infested roots, rearing container, or rearing room has not been reported, but the levels of CO 2 seem high by respiration or fermentation of sweet potato roots in such conditions.…”