ABSTRACT
A number of fruit flies in the Family Tephritidae are extremely destructive pests of fruit throughout the world. These flies have special adaptations that enable them to survive adverse conditions. Several countries had already undertaken research programs to develop the use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) against fruit flies before the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Division for Application of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture had come into existence. Technical Cooperation “TC” Projects are administered by the Agency’s Department of Technical Cooperation, but the scientific and technical leadership is provided by Technical Officers in the Joint FAO/IAEA Division. In conclusion, for more than three decades the Joint FAO/IAEA Division has been dedicated to advancing the use of SIT as an effective, cost-advantageous, and environmentally benign technology against tropical fruit flies. Firm foundations have been laid for significant progress in the use of this technology in the service of people around the globe.
