THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF THE STERILITY METHOD 

 FOR INSECT POPULATION CONTROL 

 WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COMBINING THIS METHOD 

 WITH CONVENTIONAL METHODS 



By E. F. Knipling- 

 Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service 



The release of sterile insects offers a useful new method for controlling or 

 eliminating populations of certain insects. The merits and limitations of the method for 

 use against the wide range of insects that we must contend with cannot be fully deter- 

 mined on the basis of current knowledge. However, with the information and experience 

 already gained and further study of the basic principles involved, there is every reason 

 to believe that the technique, used alone or integrated with other methods, can have 

 broad application for the control or eradication of a number of our most destructive 

 insects. The need is acute for more desirable, as well as more economical, ways to 

 regulate populations of certain key insect species that cause high economic losses, and 

 which, in addition, necessitate costly and continuing control efforts. Current control 

 measures for some of these major pests contribute substantially to the accumulation of 

 insecticides in our total environment. Moreover, to control key insect species, it is 

 necessary to employ broad spectrum insecticides, which have adverse effects on natural 

 enemies, necessitating a more intensive effort to control other pests. 



The sterile-insect technique will not be practical for controlling or eliminating 

 established populations of most of our destructive insect species. The method will not 

 be feasible for those that have a wide host range, are sporadic in appearance, or which 

 do not cause high economic losses. An insect pest might be of great importance on 

 minor crops, but the total economic value of the crops may not justify the costly control 

 or eradication programs that most likely would be involved in the mass production and 

 release of large numbers of sterile insects. This same line of reasoning, however, 

 may not hold for insects that have a restricted host range. 



\J The writer is indebted to many members of the Entomology Research Division 

 staff for information on insect biology, ecology, behavior, and population dynamics, 

 which is so vital to an overall appraisal of the potential value of the sterile-insect- 

 release method. He is especially indebted to L. D. Christenson, Chief of the Fruit and 

 Vegetable Insects Research Branch, 



