ABSENCE OF NATURAL INFESTATION OF CARIBBEAN FRUIT-FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) FROM COMMERCIAL FLORIDA TAHITI LIME FRUITS

'Tahiti' lime fruits (Citrus X 'Tahiti'), also known as 'Persian' lime, a reputed host of Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), were investigated for presence of natural infestations of the pest. The fruits were commercially grown and harvested for the fresh market in Dade and Collier counties, FL, within the year-round geographic breeding range of the pest. Samples were unwashed, unsorted, ungraded, random aggregates obtained from packinghouses and included damaged, deformed, and rotted fruits as well as sound yellow and green fruits. Samples were held over sand for at least 30 d to collect emergent larvae and pupae. Immediately after the holding period, fruits were cut open and the peel, albedo, and pulp were visually inspected for larvae and pupae. In total, 102,384 fruits (9.307 metric tons) from 184 different groves and 60 harvest dates during the period from May 1990 to May 1991 were examined. No Caribbean fruit flies were detected, providing evidence that 'Tahiti' limes do not contain natural infestation levels of this pest that pose a high risk of its spread.