Dominican Republic Successfully Eradicate Mediterranean Fruit Fly Infestation in Record Time

In record time, the Dominican Republic was able to successfully contain a new incursion of the Mediterranean fruit fly, a highly destructive pest threatening agricultural production worldwide in 2024. This marks the second time the country has eliminated this invasive insect using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), an environmentally friendly pest control method.

Lessons learned from the first eradication effort in 2015, supported by the IAEA, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA), enabled the swift and effective response to the 2023 outbreak.

The SIT involves the mass-rearing and sterilization of male pests using radiation, followed by their systematic release over infested areas. These sterile males mate with wild females, resulting in no offspring and a declining pest population. The technique is part of an integrated pest management approach and has proven essential in combating outbreaks like the medfly.