The Costa Rican State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) aims to sterilize fruit flies with X-ray technology in a bid to reduce crop damages, website Laestrella.com.pa reported.

The SFE acquired the US$220,000 technology with the help of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which donated half the cost.

Fruit Fly National Program chief Arturo Saborío, told the website the equipment will sterilize Mediterranean fruit fly pupae 'ceratitis capitata' and 'anastrepha spp', which will then be sent onto fruit farms.

"By mating with fertile flies in the fields they cannot procreate, which creates a diminishing of populations which are currently causing problems for the national fruit industry and have become an impediment for the relevant quarantine character for fruit exportation," Saborío was quoted as saying.

The company Rad Source Technologies installed the equipment and will also provide training for Costa Ricans about how to use it.

www.freshfruitportal.com