HOT-WATER IMMERSION QUARANTINE TREATMENT FOR GUAVAS INFESTED WITH CARIBBEAN FRUIT-FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE)

Hot-water immersion was tested as a potential commodity treatment for guavas infested with third instars of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). Infested guavas were immersed in water at 46.1 +/- 0.5-degrees-C for various time periods. Probit 9 (99.9968%) mortality was estimated to occur at 32.7 min. A large-scale test with 2,450 guavas containing an estimated 181,556 larvae treated for 35 min at 46.1 +/- 0.5-degrees-C produced no survivors. Hydrocooling guavas immediately after hot-water treatment until fruit center temperatures returned to 24 +/- 2-degrees-C did not significantly affect mortality. Guavas tolerated 35 min at 46.1 +/- 0.5-degrees-C with only slight reduction in quality. Treated guavas held at 10 +/- 0.5-degrees-C maintained acceptable quality 7 d longer than guavas held at 24 +/- 2-degrees-C.