The Italian entomologist Ugo Cirio, opening a white paper bag with radiation-sterilized insects in a field of growing fruit.
Photo - Positive
1967 - 1967
TitleThe Italian entomologist Ugo Cirio, opening a white paper bag with radiation-sterilized insects in a field of growing fruit.
DescriptionMEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY ERADICATION PROJECT Italy, July 1967. Capri is the site of an attempt to exterminate the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis Capitata) by introducing huge numbers of flies bred in the laboratory and sterilised using an atomic reactor. It is hoped that the resultant abortive unions will lead to extinction of a pest which each year destroys large quantities of growing fruit. The project is a joint effort of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of Vienna and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of Rome, together with the atomic energy agencies of Israel and Italy, Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Citrus Marketing Board of Israel. Each week, several million sterile files are flown in pupa form from Israel to Rome and then to Capri where they are released and their movements carefully followed by a team of Italian and international scientists and technicians headed by IAEA entomologist David Nadel (USA). The pupae are transferred after their arrival to large white paper bags containing wood shavings sprayed with sugared water and allowed to mature before release of the fully-formed flies 36 hours later. Italian entomologist Ugo Cirio hanging up paper bag full of sterile fruit flies among gerwing fruit. Bag is then ripped open, releasing flies. FAO photo by P. Galletti.
Photo - Positive
