The Entomology Research Division, which has pioneered the sterile-insect-release 

 procedure, receives numerous inquiries regarding the feasibility of the method for 

 controlling or eliminating various kinds of insects. In many instances, because of the 

 nature of the pest and the circumstances involved, little or no encouragement can be 

 offered that the technique will be practical. On the other hand, there are many insect 

 problems of great importance in this country and in other parts of the world that, on 

 careful analysis, would appear to justify serious effort by scientists to explore the 

 potentialities of the method. Delay in the initiation of investigations on some of these 

 problems may be due to a general lack of appreciation of the full potential of the technique, 

 and how it might be integrated with other methods of control. 



Accordingly, this report will discuss, in more detail than in previous publications, 

 the principles and factors that must be considered in appraising the potentialities of the 

 sterile- insect-release method for controlling an insect population. Special effort will be 

 made to indicate how the method could be integrated with other methods of control. This 

 more detailed analysis will consider, primarily, the role that the method might have in 

 the control of well-established insect populations. Conceivably, the sterile-insect- 

 release method could be useful in eliminating incipient infestations of almost any bisexual 

 insect species if the basic information and procedures have been developed, and if a 

 program can be put into effect before the pest population spreads and increases to such 

 numbers that it would not be economically feasible to produce the number of sterile 

 insects required for eradication. 



There is a tendency to regard the sterile-insect-release method as impractical 

 for controlling or eliminating established insects when the natural population consists of 

 hundreds of millions of individuals in relatively large areas, because of the even greater 

 numbers of the insect that would have to be produced for sterilization and release. Such 

 a conclusion is not justified without carefully weighing all of the factors that have a 

 bearing on the problem. It is necessary, first of all, to have a full understanding of the 

 sterility principle and its inherent merits and limitations. The principles and basic 

 requirements that must be met before application of the sterility technique is practical 

 have been discussed in other publications. The requirements, as published, are still 

 valid. However, it seems desirable to treat various aspects of the subject in greater 

 depth, and to offer more specific suggestions as to how the technique might be integrated 

 with other control or eradication methods. 



The sterility technique relates to the mass production and release of sterile 

 insects . Sterilizing insects in the natural population should eventually provide great 

 opportunities for controlling or regulating pest populations, but this approach will not be 

 discussed in this report because ways to use currently available chemical sterilants 

 effectively and safely have not yet been clearly demonstrated. 



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