Identifying an Optimal Screen Mesh to Enable Augmentorium-Based Enhanced Biological Control of the Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The augmentorium is a cost-effective screened enclosure designed to receive fruits infested with insect pests, retain the pests inside but let their natural enemies escape to enhance biological control of pest populations. Screen selection is critical to ensure that an augmentorium is effective for a particular system. Here we tested five types of screens with a mini-augmentorium design and measured the escape of four insect species under laboratory conditions: the pests olive fruit fly Bactocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and the parasitoids Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Psyttalia ponerophaga (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The sex ratio of insects that escaped the screens was compared to the sex ratio of insects that could not escape. Results showed that one screen type (‘crystal mesh’) was the best for the purpose of designing a functional augmentorium: it retained 90% of B. oleae adults and 100% of C. capitata adults while letting 72% of Psyttalia lounsburyi adults and 94% of P. ponerophaga adults escape. The other screen types tested were suboptimal, either because they let too many flies freely escape or because they retained too many parasitoids. Sex ratio was almost always similar for insects that managed to escape the screens and insects that were retained, except for P. ponerophaga and the screen type ‘light mesh’. These results are promising for the development of a functional augmentorium against the olive fruit fly and further implementation against Mediterranean fruit fly.     

瓜实蝇性别决定基因tra——2的克隆及表达分析

本研究对瓜实蝇Bactrocera cucurbitae Coqillet的性别决定基因tra- 2的eDNA序列进行了克隆和分析。根据转录组数据库及序列同源性分析,分别克隆并获得瓜实蝇雌雄成虫tra- 2的基因片段,利用生物信息软件对所得序列进行分析;采用qPCR技术,研究该基因在瓜实蝇不同发育阶段的表达情况。研究结果表明,瓜实蝇ra-2基因的eDNA序列共1 450 bp,无性别特异性,含753 bp的开放阅读框,共编码250个氨基酸。 该基因在瓜实蝇不同发育阶段均有不同的表达量,瓜实蝇tra-2基因具有母体遗传表达特性,在胚胎期的表达量较高,雌成虫表达量显著高于雄成虫。     

瓜实蝇气味结合蛋白基因的克隆及表达谱分析

在气味识别过程中,气味结合蛋白(OBPs)对昆虫的行为反应有重要作用。通过转录组库和NCBI筛选获得瓜实蝇[Bactrocera cucurbitae(Coquillett)]OBPs基因序列,进而通过RT-PCR、克隆等方法获取c DNA全长序列,命名为BcucOBP19。结果表明:BcucOBP19基因开放阅读框全长471 bp,编码157个氨基酸,分子量17.5 ku,等电点5.14,具有昆虫OBPs典型的6个保守半胱氨酸位点。BcucOBP19在瓜实蝇各部位均有表达,以15日龄的雌虫触角中表达量最高,在头、腹、翅和前足中表达量较低,且没有显著性差异。     

Improvement of bait sprays for the control of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The control of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) is based on insecticides that are usually applied as bait sprays. Large-scale field experiments were conducted in the Kolymvari region of Crete (Greece) to evaluate the efficacy of several bait spray solutions against the fly that were applied at the recommended spraying volume per hectare (or 300 ml per treated tree), compared applications at volumes reduced by two and three fold (150 and 100 ml, respectively). The trophical attractant (hydrolysed protein at 75% w/w) that was used was mixed with alpha-cypermethrin, thiacloprid, thiacloprid + deltamethrin or dimethoate, and these formulations were tested during three successive summers (2012–2014) according to European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) standards. The products were alternated with one another over time in the experimental plots. The results indicated that all of the bait spraying solutions of the tested products were effective against B. oleae at all of the doses tested and resulted in significantly lower olive fly populations compared with the standard recommended dose, which was indicated by the fly catches in the nets of McPhail traps within the experimental plots. The percentages of live infestations of B. oleae were very low (<2%, except in 2013 due to a very low olive fruit yield), as was the number of applications each year, which was 6–7 and did not differ among treatments. The benefits of this concept in the management of the pest and potential future improvements of the method are discussed.     

Pest behaviour insights from quarantine surveillance of male Queensland fruit fly,Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are a major problem for Australia's $6.9 billion horticultural industry. Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is the most significant fruit fly pest in the eastern states of Australia. Catches of male B. tryoni from cuelure-baited Lynfield surveillance traps in towns bordering the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone in New South Wales, Australia, from November to May in 2001/2002–2007/2008 were analysed with respect to year, town, property type (urban/rural), and tree species/crop varieties in which the trap was placed (tree type). Average catches of all traps were highest in 2007/2008 and lowest in 2003/2004, and showed an overall positive correlation with rainfall (P < 0.05). More B. tryoni males were caught in Wagga Wagga and Lockhart than in other towns. There were no significant differences in catches of B. tryoni between urban and rurally located traps. With respect to tree type, traps placed in pomefruit trees caught significantly more flies than those in citrus, stonefruit, or nonfruit trees, with no significant differences among the latter three tree groups. Within the pomefruit group, traps in apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) and pears (Pyrus spp.) caught significantly more flies than those in cotoneasters (Cotoneaster spp). Within the citrus group, traps in orange trees (Citrus × sinensis (L.) Osbeck) caught significantly more flies than those in mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata Blanco). No significant differences were detected in catches between any members of the stonefruit group. Within the nonfruit group, traps placed in kurrajongs (Brachychiton populneum (Schott & Endl.) R. Br.) caught significantly more flies than those placed on other tree species in the group. This study demonstrates that although surveillance programs conducted to establish and/or maintain area freedom from specific pests may not provide balanced datasets, careful analysis of the results of such programs can provide valuable insights into the behaviour of the species in question.     

Developmental Biology of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Three Cucurbitaceous Hosts at Different Temperature Regimes

Fruit flies are key pests of cucurbits in many parts of the world, including Tanzania. Developmental biology of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) has been determined across temperature regimes in some cucurbitaceous hosts, in limited geographies. This study was conducted to determine duration and survival rates of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae in three cucurbitaceous hosts, at different temperature regimes. It was hypothesized that temperature and cucurbitaceous hosts influence duration and survival of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae. We conducted experiments in the environmental chamber set at 75 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h, at temperatures of 20, 25, and 30°. Our results showed that duration and survival of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae differed significantly among the temperature regimes but not among the hosts. Egg incubation period as well as larval and pupal stages were significantly longer (P < 0.0001) at low temperature in all three hosts Likewise, survival rate of all immature stages were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) at higher than lower temperatures. The three hosts, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai), and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) did not significantly affect duration or survival rates of immature stages of Z. cucurbitae. The low developmental thresholds were estimated at 15.88, 13.44, and 12.62 for egg, larva and pupa, respectively. These results further confirm that Z. cucurbitae is well adapted to warm climate, which dominates many areas of Tanzania.     

Courtship,Mating Behavior,and Ovary Histology of the Nymph Parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

The potential of the parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek for the biological control of the eucalyptus pest Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) nymphs is high. This research sought to analyze the courtship, male competition, and mating behavior of P. bliteus at the proportions of 1:1 and 2:1 males to female in a Petri dish (5 cm diameter), and to describe the ovary histology of virgin and mated females of this parasitoid. At 1:1, males touch the antennae and thorax–abdomen of females during courtship, but females avoid mate attempts before they are 48 h old. At 2:1, the competition between male parasitoids inhibits mating. The histology of ovaries of virgin and mated P. bliteus females is similar, with two well-defined germarium and vitellarium regions, with oocytes at different developmental stages, including mature ones rich in yolk and with eggshell. A clearer understanding of the reproductive behavior and histology of P. bliteus aids in the use of this parasitoid for the biological control of G. brimblecombei.     

Status of Bactrocera invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Mango-Producing Areas of Arba Minch,Southwestern Ethiopia

Bactrocera invadens, the Asian fruit fly, was first reported in Kenya in 2003, and it spread fast to most tropical countries in Africa. To our knowledge, there is no detailed data on the fruit damage and status of fruit flies in Arba Minch and elsewhere in Ethiopia. Hence, information on the species composition and pest status of the fruit fly species is urgent to plan management strategies in the area. Fruit flies were captured using male parapheromone-baited traps. Matured mango (Mangifera indica) fruits were collected from randomly selected mango trees and incubated individually in cages (15 by 15 by 15 cm) with sandy soil. B. invadens was the predominant (96%; 952 of 992) captured species and the only fruit fly species emerging from mango fruits incubated in the laboratory. The mean number of adult B. invadens emerging per mango fruit was 35.25, indicating that the species is the most devastating mango fruit fly in the area. The loss due to this species would be serious if no management strategies are implemented.     

Implementing a Spinosad-Based Local Bait Station to Control Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in High Rainfall Areas of Reunion Island

Three species of fruit flies cause serious damage to cucurbit crops on Reunion Island: Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) (Coquillett 1899), Dacus ciliatus (Loew 1901), and Dacus demmerezi (Bezzi 1917). To control them, a program of agroecological management of cucurbit flies has been implemented based on the application of Synéis-appât, especially spot sprays on corn borders. However, the high rainfall on Reunion Island limits the long-term efficiency of the bait; in addition, this method cannot be used for large chayote trellises, because corn borders cannot be planted around them. The aim of this study was to design a bait station adapted to prevailing conditions on Reunion Island. An ‘umbrella trap’ tested in Taiwan was used as a reference to compare its efficacy with our local bait station. Experiments were conducted in field cages on B. cucurbitae to test different characteristics of bait stations and to construct one using local materials. Results were validated in the field. The attractiveness of the bait station was related mainly to the color of the external surface, yellow being the most attractive color. The efficacy of the bait station with respect to fly mortality was found to be linked to the accessibility of the bait, and direct application of Synéis-appât on the bait station was found to be the most efficient. In the field, B. cucurbitae were more attracted to the local bait station than to the umbrella trap, while the two other fly species displayed equal attraction to both trap types. Our local bait station is a useful alternative to spot sprays of Synéis-appât and is now included in a local pest management program and is well accepted by farmers.     

Temperature Effects on the Development and Reproduction of Three Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Species Reared on Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs

The cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a generalist species and an important pest of Brassicaceae worldwide. Egg parasitoids are a feasible alternative for the control of this species. We evaluated the suitability of T. ni eggs as hosts for three Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species and their tolerance to survive and develop within a range of temperatures between 15 and 30°C under laboratory conditions. The species evaluated were Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman and Platner, and Trichogramma acacioi Brun, Moraes and Soares. Parasitism rate was affected by temperature, parasitoid species, and by the interaction between these two factors. Parasitoids developed and reproduced in the range of temperatures evaluated, but Trichog. acacioi failed to parasitize T. ni eggs at 30°C. The highest parasitism rates of Trichog. atopovirilia and Trichog. pretiosum occurred at 20 and 25°C and Trichog. acacioi at 25°C, with parasitism rate above 70% in the three species. Parasitoid emergence was not affected by temperature or species. The estimated thermal constant and lower temperature threshold were 134.6 DD and 10.6°C for Trichog. pretiosum and 130.1 DD and 11.2°C for Trichog. atopovirilia. The results demonstrated that Trichog. pretiosum and Trichog. atopovirilia are the most suitable species for the control of T. ni, as they can remain active throughout the year in subtropical regions.     

我国南方实蝇类害虫概述

实蝇(fruit fly)是水果和蔬菜类作物的重要害虫。本文对我国南方(海南、广东、广西、云南、贵州、四川、重庆、湖南、湖北、福建)实蝇种类、分布范围、寄主(诱剂)进行总结。据不完全统计,我国华南地区采集(诱捕)的实蝇已达18属97种,其中海南21种,广东15种,广西30种,云南59种。同时,就主要实蝇在我国的分布特征及实蝇科昆虫的鉴定和分类上的一些问题进行简要论述。     

Effect of Different Wheat-Based Diets and Corn Meal Addition on Development Parameters of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The expansion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including biological control, has had several positive consequences for the agricultural environment and participants in the production chain. To enable successful operation and applications of biological control, production of insects used for rearing natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) must be optimized to reduce time and costs and improve production both qualitatively and quantitatively. The present study evaluated the effect of wheat varieties, the main component of artificial diets for Ephestia kuehniella, on the reproductive performance and biological parameters of this flour moth, which is used for mass production of Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and other parasitoids and predators. Four varieties of wheat were compared: BRS 327, BRS Marcante, BRS Parrudo, and KBR, with and without the addition of corn E. kuehniella reared on 97% BRS 327 wheat flour + 3% nutritional yeast had the best biological parameters and substitution of corn for about half of the wheat increased the number of eggs per female.     

椰心叶甲啮小蜂对寄主的选择性、适宜性和功能反应

研究椰心叶甲啮小蜂(Tetrastichus brontispae Fer.)对寄主的选择性、适宜性和功能反应,结果表明:在温度(25 1)℃,相对湿度(75 5)%,光周期12h(L):12h(D)条件下,椰心叶甲啮小蜂主要选择寄主的预蛹和1,2日龄蛹。选择系数、平均寄生率分别为0.2276,0.2116,0.1951和77.78%,77.22%,66.67%,高于其他日龄蛹。不选择6日龄蛹,末龄幼虫只有近预蛹时才被选择。寄主被寄生后,其虫态、日龄不影响小蜂生长发育历期的长短,而对其出蜂率、出蜂量以及性比影响较大。测定这3项指标,结果表明:寄主的预蛹和1,2日龄蛹最适合啮小蜂的生长发育。其功能反应方程为:Na=0.3388N/(1 0.0715N),其寄生量随寄主密度增加而增高,但寄主密度达一定范围时,寄生量保持一定水平。椰心叶甲啮小蜂自身密度的干扰反应为:a=1.62116P-0.7264,表明随着自身密度的增加,寄生效果下降。因此,在大量培养繁殖或田间释放该蜂时,应选择适当的密度,才能获得较好的防治效果。     

Host suitability of three avocado cultivars (Persea americana Miller: Lauraceae) to oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera (invadens) dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae))

The oriental (invasive) fruit fly Bactrocera (invadens) dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) has invaded Africa and is currently established in over 30 countries and has caused in massive fruit losses. Avocado (Persea americana Miller) is among the fruit with which the pest is associated. The aim of the study was to determine the host status of a ‘black-skinned’ cultivar “Hass” and two ‘green-skinned’ cultivars “Pinkerton” and “Fuerte” to B. (invadens) dorsalis. In the laboratory study conducted in Kenya in 2012 and 2013, punctured and unpunctured recently-harvested fruit were exposed to sexually-mature fruit fly in ‘no-choice’ experiments. B. (invadens) dorsalis readily developed in the punctured fruit but not in the uncompromised fruit (fruit not damaged by insects or handling). This result was confirmed in Tanzania in 2013 where flies were introduced to unpunctured fruit. In the field studies the fruit of each cultivar were caged in situ with flies for 72 h. On dissection only fruit damaged by false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick)) were found to harbor B. (invadens) dorsalis. In the light of these results the risk imposed for “Hass”, “Pinkerton” and “Fuerte” by B. (invadens) dorsalis is negligible under standard export conditions. The findings of this study and the implications to regional and international trade are discussed.     

Status of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its parasitoid,Macroglenes penetrans (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), in Montana

The orange wheat blossom midge, S. mosellana (Gehin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a global pest of wheat (Tritium aestivum L.), has recently invaded Montana's Golden Triangle, an important wheat producing region. Unchecked, S. mosellana populations can quickly grow to damaging levels. In this study, we document the prevalence of S. mosellana and its main natural enemy, Macroglenes penetrans (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), in this newly invaded area of Montana, and compared the effects of irrigated versus dryland cropping systems on S. mosellana and its parasitoid. Different approaches to monitoring S. mosellana populations were examined, including pheromone traps for adults, collection of larvae from wheat heads, and overwinter sampling of soil to measure the levels of larvae and cocoons. Adults of the M. penetrans were surveyed through daily sweep net sampling. This study demonstrated that the emergence of M. penetrans was usually well synchronized with emergence of S. mosellana as the emergence of parasitoids occurred shortly after the pest with the highest peak (90%) at 26 June and 14 July, 2015, respectively. Irrespective of sampling techniques; pheromone traps or soil sampling, no significant difference was observed in population of S. mosellana between irrigated and dryland cropping systems. In contrary, cropping systems played a significant role in the abundance of parasitoids since the irrigated fields had significantly higher population of parasitoids (five times on an average) compared to dryland cropping system. The possible implications of these findings in monitoring of S. mosellane and the establishment of M. penetrans are discussed.     

Flight Capacity of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) Adult Females Based on Flight Mill Studies and Flight Muscle Ultrastructure

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is considered a major economic threat in many regions worldwide. To better comprehend flight capacity of B. dorsalis and its physiological basis, a computer-monitored flight mill was used to study flight capacity of B. dorsalis adult females of various ages, and the changes of its flight muscle ultrastructures were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The flight capacity (both speed and distance) changed significantly with age of B. dorsalis female adults, peaking at about 15 d; the myofibril diameter of the flight muscle of test insects at 15-d old was the longest, up to 1.56 µm, the sarcomere length at 15-d old was the shortest, averaging at 1.37 µm, volume content of mitochondria of flight muscle at 15-d old reached the peak, it was 32.64%. This study provides the important scientific data for better revealing long-distance movement mechanism of B. dorsalis.     

Suppressing Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) with an attract-and-kill device in pome and stone fruit orchards in Western Australia

Attract-and-kill is a possible alternative to the conventional control of Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) with bait or cover sprays of organophosphate insecticides. In this study, we determined if an attract-and-kill device (MagMED^®) could be applied alone at the recommended rate (80 devices/ha), or needed to be combined with other conventional control tactics to suppress medfly in deciduous fruit orchards (apple, nectarine, peach, pear, plum). We also determined if attract-and-kill had any detrimental effects on naturally occurring beneficial insects. Based on an acceptable level of crop loss of 2–5% (the level of crop loss growers can tolerate), attract-and-kill suppressed medfly and reduced crop loss below the acceptable level in orchards with additional controls. Attract-and-kill was most effective when combined with either bait spraying, cover spraying or both. Combining attract-and-kill with cover sprays of fenthion resulted in a drop in crop loss of apples from 2.5% to 0.5%. By combining attract-and-kill with weekly bait sprays and two cover spray applications, crop loss fell from 13.7% to 4.3% in peaches, from 6.3% to 5% in nectarines and from 6.3% to 3.7% in pears. Twice weekly bait spraying was the most effective technique at suppressing medfly, providing acceptable control when applied alone, which further improved by combining with attract-and-kill. By combining attract-and-kill with twice weekly bait spraying crop loss fell from 2% to 1% in nectarines and from 4% to 2% in apples. In laboratory trials, attract-and-kill devices killed 100% of brown lacewings (Micromus tasmaniae Walker) and 94% of transverse ladybeetles (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius) 24 h after contact. However, orchard samples suggest that it may not pose any significant negative impact on naturally occurring beneficials such as Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Thysanoptera and Syrphidae in the field.     

Postegression Feeding Enhances Growth,Survival, and Nutrient Acquisition in the Endoparasitoid Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Toxoneuron nigriceps Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a koinobiont endoparasitoid of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens F. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), derives nutrition from the host hemolymph during the internal portion of its larval development but feeds destructively on host tissues externally after egression. To investigate the importance of this tissue-feeding phase, and to evaluate the behaviors associated with postegression feeding, T. nigriceps larvae were subjected to one of four treatments: 1) allowed to carry out normal tissue feeding, 2) deprived of tissue feeding, 3) presented with tissues scraped away from the host remains, and 4) fed tissues scraped from an unparasitized H. virescens larva. Additionally, total carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins were quantified from pre and posttissue feeding T. nigriceps larvae to examine the effect of postegression feeding on parasitoid nutritional physiology. Parasitoids that received no tissues after egression, or that received tissue from an unparasitized H. virescens larva, had significantly smaller body masses at all stages than those allowed to feed naturally or fed tissues scraped from a parasitized host. Parasitoids that underwent normal host feeding after egression also reached larger masses then those fed scraped host tissue. Parasitoids that received no tissue after egression survived to adulthood significantly less often than those that were presented with any H. virescens tissue. This suggests that postegression tissue feeding is a vital developmental step for T. nigriceps, and that T. nigriceps will not only feed when normal postegression behavior is disrupted, but will also feed on unparasitized tissue. The quantification of macronutrients in the tissues of pre and posttissue feeding T. nigriceps larvae showed significantly elevated proportions of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in the tissues of larvae that had completed feeding, with the greatest difference being in total lipids.     

Assessment of lure and kill and mass-trapping methods against the olive fly,Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), in desert-like environments in the Eastern Mediterranean

Management of the olive fly using environmentally friendly methods includes strategies based on lure and kill and/or mass-trapping. Despite a wealth of studies related to the efficacy of different lure and kill and mass-trapping systems in several olive producing areas, there are few known regarding the performance of such systems in low input olive farms of the desert-like areas of the Middle East. The present study reports on the control of the olive fly using both lure and kill and mass-trapping devices in low-input farms in the region of Tubas, Palestine, between 2010 and 2012. The effect of environmental factors, such as elevation, on general patterns of olive fly infestation and the lure and kill system's performance was also studied. Our final goal included the development of a general strategy to produce organic olive oil using alternative olive fly control methods. Initially we used a commercially available lure and kill device, the Eco-Trap^®. The Eco-Trap performed relatively well during the three years of study, significantly reducing olive fly damage levels. Eco-Trap effectiveness was more evident at elevation above 400 m, where damage in the region of Tubas was more intense than at lower elevations. In a subsequent trial we tested a low-cost mass-trapping device. This device demonstrated similar levels of protection to the one seen with the Eco-Trap. Results showed that lure and kill and mass-trapping tactics can be effectively applied in the region of Tubas, and that accessible devices can be adopted to reduce control costs. The results also showed differential levels of damage throughout the region, which were related to elevation above sea level. The possibility of applying a regional management concept throughout the area by a centralized organization, such as a farmer's union based on mass-trapping systems seems feasible and is discussed.