In memory of Roger Irvin Vargas (1947-2018)
John D. Stark 1, Luc Leblanc 2, Ronald F.L. Mau 3, and Nicholas C. Manoukis 4
1 Washington State University, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, 2606 W Pioneer
Puyallup, Washington 98371.
2 Department of Entomology, Plant pathology and Nematology, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter
Drive MS 2329, Moscow, ID 83844-2329, USA
3 University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 3050 Maile Way,
Honolulu, HI, 96822-2271
4 USDA ARS, US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, 64 Nowelo St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
On July 10th, 2018, Roger Vargas passed away suddenly and the entomology world lost one of
its greatest and most beloved scientists. Roger spent the majority of his career working on
Tephritid fruit flies, many of which are the most economically damaging pests in the world. His
areas of expertise were integrated pest management, insect ecology, biological control, crop
protection, insect mass rearing, demography, trapping, and toxicology. Roger was widely
regarded as the world’s greatest fruit fly ecologist. His over 40-year record of research on fruit
flies was truly outstanding: He published over 240 scientific papers, won many awards and was
awarded patents for his work on fruit fly rearing. His research productivity was considerable, as
demonstrated in a 2018 IAEA/APHIS survey ranking him # 4 worldwide for number of fruit fly
publications.
Roger was born in Long Beach, California and grew up nearby in Riverside. He attended the
University of California Riverside, where he played football as a running back, and received a
Bachelor’s degree in Oceanography in 1969. He received a Master’s degree in Zoology from San
Diego State University in 1974 and moved to Honolulu and enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the
University of Hawaii’s Department of Entomology. Under the guidance of Dr. Toshiyuki
Nishida he received his doctorate in 1979 and was hired by the USDA’s Agricultural Research
Service in Manoa, Hawaii. Roger initially worked on fruit fly mass rearing, developing new fruit
fly mass rearing procedures. He received patents for his work on rearing, producing flies used in
sterile release programs. Roger became the Research Leader of the Rearing, Radiation, and
Genetics Unit from 1986-90, after which he moved to the Big Island and worked at the USDA-
ARS Hilo laboratory for the rest of his career. Roger was in great demand for his expertise and
was constantly traveling around the world to work with governments on developing and
improving fruit fly control, particularly in the tropical and semi-tropical regions where fruit flies
are economically important.
Throughout his career, Roger demonstrated a high degree of insight and originality, as evidenced
by his numerous achievements and awards (Table 1). He developed new and alternative fruit fly
mass rearing procedures (egging, larval recovery, and pupation), including a patented cage and
egg harvest system capable of providing 1 billion eggs per week, that could be applied to the
Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and three Bactrocera species. This novel approach
was implemented in the APHIS Hawaii Sterile Fruit Fly Rearing Facility that produced 300-500
million fruit flies per week for the U.S. mainland eradication programs for over 10 years. He also
led research in the development of improved low cost diets for mass rearing facilities in Mexico,
Guatemala, and Hawaii, including specialized diets and rearing methods for mass production of
Malaysian fruit fly (Bactrocera latifrons) in Hawaii.
Using mass rearing data, Roger developed comparative models to characterize life history,
survival, and demographics of wild and laboratory lines of four species of fruit flies and their
parasitoids. His work on Tephritid demography was essential for the development of area-wide
suppression of fruit flies and early detection and effective eradication of invasive populations.
Roger also provided invaluable contributions to the development and improvement of field
suppression and eradication for invasive fruit flies, starting with an area-wide SIT demonstration
test on Kauai Island as part of a pilot eradication program in the 1980’s. From 2002-2009, he
coordinated the highly successful national program known as the “Area-Wide Integrated Pest
Management of Fruit Flies in Hawaiian Fruits and Vegetables”, integrating field sanitation, bait
sprays, and male annihilation with sterile insect and augmentative parasitoid releases. In
partnership with the industry, his contribution was instrumental in developing and registering the
spinosad-based GF-120 Fruit Fly Bait. Roger also developed or tested a number of male
annihilation bait stations as replacements of the traditional organophosphate cover sprays
resulting in reductions of sprays by 75-90%. The area-wide program was nationally recognized
with seven major awards and received acclaimed international attention, with technology transfer
to numerous countries in Oceania, Asia and Africa.
In the area of classical biological control, Roger developed a cost effective and sustainable
biological control program by introducing and establishing natural enemies of oriental fruit fly
into French Polynesia and evaluating their impact. Establishment of Fopius arisanus reduced
oriental fruit fly populations by as much as 85% and levels of fruit infestations by as much as
90% with average parasitism rates of 70%. Establishment of F. arisanus in French Polynesia
became the most successful example of classical biological control of fruit flies in the Pacific
area outside of Hawaii and served as a model for the subsequent introduction into South America
and Africa where species in the B. dorsalis complex have recently become established. He was
actively engaged in the effort to transfer some of these biological control agents to other nations,
recently including Brazil, Senegal, and Cameroon. Roger also led some of the rare research on
parasitoid wasp spatial dynamics in the field, as well as detailed measurements of parasitoid
effects after introduction.
As mentioned above, Roger was the recipient of many awards (Table 1). In 2018, Roger won the
C.W. Woodworth Award, the highest honor of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society
of America. Furthermore, he served as President of the Pacific Branch of the ESA in 2011 and
ran their meeting that year in Hawaii.
Roger was a remarkably congenial, kind, and generous person. He was dedicated to his family,
and is survived by his wife Kathy and daughters Noelani and Kela. Roger was unfailingly
optimistic, resilient, and an invaluable source of information on fruit flies, ecology, and many
other topics. He was especially generous with his time; despite being very busy with research
and travel, he was always willing to help others and did a lot to promote the careers of young
entomologists. He was laid-back and pleasant and nearly all who met him became instant friends.
Roger was an avid surfer, swimmer, biker, marathoner, and tri-athlete. He even ran the Boston
and Honolulu Marathons, and in 2005 notched an impressive 1hr 37 min time in a 10-mile race
in Volcano, Hawaii. He is fondly remembered by those who knew him, leaves a legacy of
research to future fruit fly researchers, and will be greatly missed.
Table 1: Significant awards and recognition given to Roger Vargas since 2000.
2000 Fellowship Award: Agriculture Western Australia's visiting Specialist.
May 2004 Team recipient of the Federal Laboratories Consortium Award for Technology
Transfer for the impacts made by the Hawaii AWPM Program.
June 2004 USDA Award for Superior Service. Hawaii Fruit Fly AWPM Core Team. "For
creating an effective area-wide suppression program for fruit flies in Hawaii
which provides the basis for a sustainable rural economy."
June 2004 Entomological Society of America, Pacific Branch Award for Team IPM
Accomplishments.
November
2004
Entomological Society of America Entomological Foundation Integrated Pest
Management Team Award.
February
2005
USDA-ARS Technology Transfer Award. Hawaii Fruit Fly AWPM Core Team.
2005 Hawaii House of Representatives Recognition Award for Hawaii Fruit Fly
AWPM Program.
April
2006
Fifth National IPM Symposium. IPM Achievement Award Winner.
March
2009
Elected 2010 President of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of
America (2010-2011).
March
2011
Recognition for Outstanding Service (e.g., planning and organization of most
heavily attended Pacific Branch annual meeting (i.e., 396 registrations) in history) as
President of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America.
February
2012
Hawaiian Entomological Society Entomologist of the Year (2011)
June 2018 Fiftieth recipient of the C. W Woodworth Award as “Outstanding Economic Entomologist,”
Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America.
Publications by Roger Vargas
Vargas, R.I. 1974. The effects of parasitism and other environmental factors on Notonecta
unifasciata Guerin (Hemiptera: Notonectidae). Department of Zoology, San Diego State
University. (M.S. Thesis)
Chang, F., R.N. Winters, R.I. Vargas, S.L. Montgomery, and J.M. Takara. 1977. Analysis of
crop sugars in the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Hawaii and
correlation with possible food sources. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 22: 461-468.
Vargas, R.I. 1979. Management of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera:
Noctuidae), in sweet corn in Hawaii. Department of Entomology, University of Hawaii. (Ph. D.
Dissertation)
Nishida, T., E.J. Harris, and R.I. Vargas. 1980. Life system components in relation to fruit fly
eradication strategies in Hawaii, Pp. 133-142 In Proceedings of a Symposium on Fruit Fly
Problems. Kyoto and Nahaa, Japan. August 9-12, 1980. National Institute of Agricultural
Services. Yatabe, Ibaraki, Japan.
Vargas, R.I. and T. Nishida. 1980. Life table of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), in
sweet corn in Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 23: 301-307.
Vargas, R.I. and T. Nishida. 1981. Evaluation of corn earworm damage and incidence of blank
tip in corn grown in Hawaii and its significance to pest management. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol.
Soc. 23: 455-461.
Armstrong, J.W. and R.I. Vargas. 1982 Resistance of pineapple variety '59-656' to field
populations of oriental fruit flies and melon flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 75:
781-782.
Vargas, R.I. and T. Nishida. 1982. Parasitization by Trichogramma chilonis Ishii
(Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) of corn earworm eggs on sweet corn in Hawaii. Proc.
Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 24: 123-126.
Takara, J.M., J.W. Beardsley, E.J. Harris, and R.I. Vargas. 1983. Final report on a survey of
fruit fly and endemic insect distribution on Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. 75 pp. (Technical Bulletin)
Vargas, R.I., H.B. Chang, and D.L. Williamson. 1983. Evaluation of a sugarcane bagasse
larval diet for mass production of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. J.
Econ. Entomol. 76: 1360-1362.
Vargas, R.I., E.J. Harris, and T. Nishida. 1983. Distribution and seasonal occurrence of
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian
Islands. Environ. Entomol. 12: 303-310.
Vargas, R.I., T. Nishida, and J.W. Beardsley. 1983. Distribution and abundance of Dacus
dorsalis in native and exotic forest areas on Kauai. Environ. Entomol. 12: 1185-1189.
Vargas, R.I. 1984. Alternative egg collection system for mass production of Mediterranean fruit
fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 77: 1064-1069.
Vargas, R.I., D. Miyashita, and T. Nishida. 1984. Life history and demographic parameters of
three laboratory-reared tephritids (Diptera: Tephritidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 77: 651-656.
Vargas, R.I., D.L. Williamson, H.B. Chang, and M. Komura. 1984. Effects of larval diet pH
on worker comfort and insect quality during mass production of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae) in Hawaii. J. Environ. Sci. Health. A19: 621-630.
Carey, J.R. and R.I. Vargas. 1985. Demographic analysis of insect mass rearing: A case study
of three tephritids. J. Econ. Entomol. 78: 523-527.
Nishida, T., E.J. Harris, R.I. Vargas, and T.T.Y. Wong. 1985. Distributional loci and host
fruit utilization patterns of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae),
in Hawaii. Environ. Entomol. 14: 602-606.
Vargas, R.I., A.L. Myers, H.E. Mabry, and R.M. Kobayashi. 1985. Simple, labor-saving
technique for removal of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) eggs from adult cages. J.
Econ. Entomol. 78: 998-999.
Vargas, R.I. and T. Nishida. 1985. Life history and demographic parameters of Dacus latifrons
(Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 78: 1242-1244.
Vargas, R.I. and T. Nishida. 1985. Survey for Dacus latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ.
Entomol. 78: 131-134.
Williamson, D. L., R.I. Vargas, and E.J. Harris. 1985. Status of three pestiferous fruit fly
(Diptera: Tephritidae) populations on Kauai following Hurricane Iwa. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol.
Soc. 25: 145-154.
Carey, J.R., D. Krainacker, and R.I. Vargas. 1986. Life history response of female
Mediterranean fruit flies to periods of host deprivation. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 42: 159-167.
Vargas, R.I., H.B.C. Chang, M. Komura, and D.S. Kawamoto. 1986. Evaluation of two
pupation methods for mass production of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ.
Entomol. 79: 864-867.
Vargas, R.I., H. Mabry, A. Myers, and R. Kobayashi. 1986. Method and apparatus for the mass
rearing of fruit flies. U.S. Patent 4,594,964.
Krainacker, D.A., J.R. Carey, and R.I. Vargas. 1987. Effect of larval host on life history traits
of the Mediterranean fruit fly. Oecologia. 73: 583-590.
Vargas, R.I., H.B.C. Chang, M. Komura, and D. Kawamoto. 1987. Mortality, stadial
duration, and weight loss in three species of mass-reared fruit fly pupae (Diptera: Tephritidae)
held with and without vermiculite at selected relative humidities. J. Econ. Entomol. 80: 972-974.
Vargas, R.I. and S. Mitchell. 1987. Two artificial larval diets for rearing Dacus latifrons
(Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 80: 1337-1339.
Nishida, T. and R.I. Vargas. 1988. Fruit fly eradication from an international viewpoint. Pp.
213-219 In Vijaysegaran, V. J. and A.G. Ibrahim (eds.). Proceedings, first international
symposium on fruit flies in the tropics. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1988.
Vargas, R.I., and T. Nishida. 1988 Spatial distribution of fruit flies in Hawaii: development of
eradication strategies. Pp. 242-250 In Vijaysegaran, V. J. and A.G. Ibrahim (eds.). Proceedings,
first international symposium on fruit flies in the tropics. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1988.
Krainacker, D.A., J.D. Carey, and R.I. Vargas. 1989. Size-specific survival and fecundity for
laboratory strains of two tephritid (Diptera: Tephritidae) species: implication for mass rearing. J.
Econ. Entomol. 82: 104-108.
Prokopy, R.J., T.I. Green, W.A. Olson, R.I. Vargas, D. Kanehisa, and T.T.Y. Wong. 1989.
Discrimination by Dacus dorsalis females (Diptera: Tephritidae) against larval-infested fruit.
Florida Entomol. 72: 319-323.
Vargas, R.I. 1989. Mass Production of Tephritid Fruit Flies. Pp. 141-152 In Robinson, A.S. and
G.H.S. Hooper (eds.). World Crop Pests, Fruit Flies, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and
Control, Vol. 3B. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam.
Vargas, R.I. and J.R. Carey. 1989. Comparison of demographic parameters for wild and
laboratory-adapted Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 82:
55-59.
Vargas, R.I., and T. Nishida. 1989. Distribution and abundance patterns for Mediterranean fruit
fly in Hawaii: development of eradication strategies for Kauai. Pp 41-48 In Cavalloro, R. (ed.)
Fruit Flies of Economic Importance. Proceedings, CEC/IOBC. International Symposium. Rome,
Italy.
Vargas, R.I., and T. Nishida. 1989. Spatial distribution of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae) in west Oahu: development of eradication strategies. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc.
29: 85-95.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, and T. Nishida. 1989. Abundance, distribution and dispersion indices
of the oriental fruit fly and melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Kauai, Hawaiian Islands. J. Econ.
Entomol. 82: 1609-1615.
McInnis, D.O., and R.I. Vargas. 1990. Medfly control in Hawaii: can genetic sexing make a
difference? Pp. 159-198 In Kido, M. [ed.]. Conference proceedings, fighting alien fruit flies in
the unique Hawaiian environment. Hawaii Fruit Fly Invitational Symposium, December 11-13,
1990. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii.
Nishida, T. and R.I. Vargas. 1990. Arrival rates of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel
(Diptera: Tephritidae), to methyl eugenol. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 30: 85-91.
Prokopy, R.J., T.A. Green, and R.I. Vargas. 1990 Dacus dorsalis flies can learn to find and
accept host fruit. J. Insect Behavior. 3: 663-672.
Seo, S.T., R.I. Vargas, J.G. Gilmore, R.S. Kurashima, and M.S. Fujimoto. 1990. Sperm
transfer in normal and gamma irradiated laboratory reared Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera:
Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 1949-1953.
Stark, J.D. and R.I. Vargas. 1990. Comparison of sampling methods used to estimate oriental
fruit fly and melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 2274-2278.
Stark, J. D., R.I. Vargas, and R.K. Thalman. 1990. Azadirachtin: Effects on metamorphosis,
longevity, and reproduction of three tephritid fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ.
Entomol. 83: 2168-2174.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, and T.T.Y. Wong. 1990. Effects of neem seed extracts on tephritid
fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their parasites. Pp. 106-112 In Locke, J.C., and R.H.
Lawson (eds.). Neem's Potential in Pest Management Programs, Proceedings of the USDA Neem
Workshop. USDA Neem Workshop, Beltsville, Maryland, April 16-17, 1990.
Uchida, G.K., R.I. Vargas, J.W. Beardsley, and N.J. Liquido. 1990. Host suitability of wild
cucurbits for melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae Coquillett, in Hawaii, with notes on their distribution
and taxonomic status. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 30: 37-47.
Vargas, R.I. 1990. Update on fruit fly eradication projects. Pp. 30-32 In Proceedings of the 26th
Annual Hawaii Papaya Industry Association Conference.
Vargas, R.I. 1990. Fruit fly eradication research programs in Hawaii. Pp. 115-120 In Aluja M,
and P. Liedo (eds.). Fruit Flies - Biology and Management. Proceedings of the 3rd International
Symposium on Fruit Flies of Economic Importance, 1990, Antigua, Guatemala, October 14-20,
1990. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Vargas, R.I., and J.L. Carey. 1990. Comparative survival and demographic statistics for wild
oriental fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, and melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) on papaya. J.
Econ. Entomol. 83: 1344-1349.
Vargas, R.I., D.O. McInnis, T. Nishida, and J.P. Spencer. 1990. Pilot test to eradicate
Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) from the island of Kauai: an update. Pp. 96-115 In
Proceedings of the Conference on Fighting Alien Fruit Flies in the Unique Hawaiian
Environment. Poipu, Kauai, 1990.
Vargas, R.I., S. Mitchell, B. Fujita, and C. Albrecht. 1990. Rearing techniques for Dacus
latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae). Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 30: 61-66.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, and T. Nishida. 1990. Ecological framework for integrated pest
management of fruit flies in papaya orchards. Pp. 153-160 In Proceedings of the 3rd
International Conference on Plant Protection in the Tropics. Genting Highlands, 1990.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, and T. Nishida. 1990. Population dynamics, habitat preference, and
seasonal distribution patterns of oriental fruit fly and melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in an
agricultural area. Environ. Entomol. 19: 1820-1828.
Stark, J. D., R.I. Vargas, and R.K. Thalman. 1991. Diversity and abundance of oriental fruit
fly parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in guava orchards in Kauai, Hawaii. J. Econ.
Entomol. 84: 1460-1467.
Vargas, R.I. and H.B.C. Chang. 1991. Evaluation of oviposition stimulants for mass production
of melon fly, oriental fruit fly, and Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ.
Entomol. 84: 1695-1698.
Vargas, R.I. and J.P. Spencer. 1991. Hawaii Fruit Fly Eradication Pilot Tests. Pp. 61-69 In
Kawasaki, K., O. Iwahashi, and K. Kaneshiro (eds.). International Symposium on the Biology
and Control of Fruit Flies. Ginowan, Okinawa, Japan.
Vargas, R.I. and J.D. Stark. 1991. Two Methods for Estimation of Oriental Fruit Fly and
Associated Opiine Parasitoid Abundance. Pp. 183-191 In Bigler, F. (ed.). Fifth Workshop of the
IOBC Global Working Group “Quality Control of Mass Reared Arthropods.” Wageningen, NL.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, R.J. Prokopy, and T.I. Green. 1991. Response of oriental fruit fly
(Diptera: Tephritidae) and associated parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to different-color
sticky balls. J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 1503-1507.
Nishida, T. and R.I. Vargas. 1992. Intraspecific variation in the wild male population and its
potential value in the mass rearing program of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis
(Hendel), (Diptera: Tephritidae). Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 31: 83-90.
Stark, J.D. and R.I. Vargas. 1992. Differential response of male oriental fruit fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae) to colored traps baited with methyl-eugenol. J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 808-812.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, R.H. Messing, and M. Purcell. 1992. Effects of cyromazine on three
economically important Hawaiian tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their
endoparasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 1687-1694.
Stark, J.D., T.T.Y. Wong, R.I. Vargas, and R.K. Thalman. 1992. Survival, longevity, and
reproduction of tephritid fruit fly parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared from fruit flies
exposed to azadirachtin. J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 1125-1129.
Green, T.I., R.J. Prokopy, R.I. Vargas, D. Kanehisa, and C. Albrecht. 1993. Intra-tree
foraging behavior of Dacus dorsalis flies in relation to host fruit quantity, quality and type.
Entomol. Exp. Appl. 66: 13-20.
Harris, E.J., R.I. Vargas, and J.E. Gilmore. 1993. Seasonality in occurrence and distribution of
Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in upland and lowland areas on Kauai, Hawaii.
Environ. Entomol. 22: 404-410.
Liedo, P., J.R. Carey, and R.I. Vargas. 1993. Mass Rearing of Fruit Flies: a Demographic
Analysis. Pp. 67-72 In Calkins, C.O., W. Klassen, and P. Liedo (eds.) Fruit Flies and the Sterile
Insect Technique. CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton.
McInnis, D.O., and R.I. Vargas. 1993. Field evaluation of a medfly genetic sexing strain in
Hawaii. Pp. 95-102 In Aluja, M., and P. Liedo (eds.). Fruit Flies: Biology and Management.
Springer, New York.
Prokopy, R.J., C.L. Hsu, and R.I. Vargas. 1993. Effect of source and condition of animal
excrement on attractiveness to Ceratitis capitata flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Environ. Entomol.
22: 455-458.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, G.K. Uchida, and M. Purcell. 1993. Opiine parasitoids
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Kauai Island, Hawaii:
Islandwide relative abundance and parasitism rates in wild and orchard guava habitats. Environ.
Entomol. 22: 246-253.
Vargas, R.I., S. Mitchell, C.L. Hsu, and W.A. Walsh. 1993. Evaluation of mass-rearing
procedures for Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 86:
1157-1161.
Prokopy, R.J., B.D. Roitberg, and R.I. Vargas. 1994. Effects of egg load on finding and
acceptance of host fruit in Ceratitis capitata. Physiol. Entomol. 19: 124-132.
Stark, J.E., R.I. Vargas, and W.A. Walsh. 1994. Temporal and spatial variation in a parasitoid
community associated with oriental fruit fly in a commercial guava orchard. Oecologia. 100:
196-199.
Vargas, R.I. 1994. Ecology of oriental fruit fly, melon fly, and Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae) on the Island of Ni`ihau, Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 32: 61-68.
Vargas, R.I. 1994. Suppression of Mediterranean fruit fly populations with SIT in two habitats:
a coffee agroecosystem with a braconid parasitoid and a forest with scattered patches of
understory coffee. Pp. 467-470. In McPheron, B.A. and G.J. Steck (eds.). Fruit Fly Pests. St.
Lucie Press, Sand Key, Delray Beach, FL.
Vargas, R.I., S. Mitchell, C.L. Hsu, and W.A. Walsh. 1994. Laboratory evaluation of
processed corncob-torula-yeast, and wheat germ on four developmental stages of Mediterranean
fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 87: 91-95.
Vargas, R.I., W.A. Walsh, C.L. Hsu, J.P. Spencer, B. Mackey, and L. Whitehand. 1994.
Effects of sterile Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) releases on the target species, a
nontarget tephritid, and braconid parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in commercial coffee
fields. J. Econ. Entomol. 87: 653-660.
Vargas, R.I. 1995. Area-wide eradication and control methods for fruit flies. Pp. 122-123 In
Proceedings, Hawaii Agriculture: Positioning for Growth. February 1995.
Vargas, R.I. 1995. Research priorities for Mediterranean fruit fly from a USDA perspective. Pp.
301-303. In Proceedings of Center for Exotic Pest Research Workshop on the Medfly Situation:
Defining Critical Research.
Vargas, R.I., W.A. Walsh, and T. Nishida. 1995. Colonization of newly planted coffee fields:
Dominance of Mediterranean fruit fly over oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ.
Entomol. 88: 620-627.
Vargas, R.I., L. Whitehand, W.A. Walsh, J.P. Spencer, and C.L. Hsu. 1995. Aerial releases
of sterile Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) by helicopter: Dispersal, recovery and
population suppression. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 1279-1287.
Epsky, N.D., R.R. Heath, G.K. Uchida, A. Guzman, R.I. Vargas and F. Jeronimo. 1996.
Capture of Mediterranean fruit flies using Jackson traps with color inserts (Diptera: Tephritidae).
J. Econ. Entomol. 25: 256-260.
Kido, M.H., A. Asquith, and R.I. Vargas. 1996. Nontarget insect attraction to methyl eugenol
used in male annihilation of the oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in a riparian Hawaiian
stream habitat. Environ. Entomol. 25: 1279-1289.
Prokopy, R.J., J.J. Duan, and R.I. Vargas. 1996. Potential for host range expansion in
Ceratitis capitata flies: Impact of proximity of adult food to egg-laying sites. Ecol. Entomol. 21:
295-299.
Prokopy, R.J., S. Resilva, and R.I. Vargas. 1996. Post-alighting behavior of Ceratitis capitata
(Diptera: Tephritidae) flies on odor-baited traps. Florida Entomol. 83: 422-428.
Prokopy, R.J. and R.I. Vargas. 1996. Attraction of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)
flies to odor of coffee fruit. J. Chem. Ecol. 22: 807-820.
Uchida, G.K., W.A. Walsh, C. Encarnacion, R.I. Vargas, J.D. Stark, J.W. Beardsley, and
D.O. McInnis. 1996. Design and Relative Efficiency of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae) Bucket Traps. J. Econ Entomol. 89: 1137-1142.
Vargas, R.I., W.A. Walsh, J.W. Armstrong, E.B. Jang, and D. Kanehisa. 1996. Survival and
development of immature stages of four Hawaiian fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) reared at five
different temperatures. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 89: 64-69.
Prokopy, R.J., T.W. Phillips, R.I. Vargas, and E.B. Jang. 1997. Defining source of coffee
plant odor attractive to Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies. J. Chem. Ecol. 23: 1577-
1587.
Vargas, R.I. 1997. Effects of temperature on the demography of Bactrocera dorsalis,
Bactrocera cucurbitae, Bactrocera latifrons and Ceratitis capitata. Pp. 70-76 In Proceedings,
Third Asia-Pacific Conference of Entomology, Taichung, Taiwan.
Vargas, R.I., R.J. Prokopy, J.J. Duan, C. Albrecht, and Q.X. Li. 1997. Captures of wild
Mediterranean and oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Jackson and McPhail traps baited
with coffee juice. J. Econ. Entomol. 90: 165-169.
Vargas, R.I., W.A. Walsh, D. Kanehisa, E.B. Jang, and J.W. Armstrong. 1997. Demography
of four Hawaiian fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) reared at five constant temperatures. Ann.
Entomol. Soc. Amer. 90: 162-168.
Prokopy, R.J., X. Hu, E.B. Jang, R.I. Vargas, and J.D. Warthen. 1998. Attraction of mature
Ceratitis capitata females to 2-heptanone, a component of coffee fruit odor. J. Chem. Ecol. 24:
1293-1304.
Vargas, R.I., R.J. Prokopy, C.L. Hsu, and D. Kanehisa. 1998. Infra-tree activity of male
Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Effects of posteclosion light, Crowding, Adult
Diet, and Irradiation. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 33.: 51-55.
Prokopy, R.J., N.W. Miller, J.J. Duan, and R.I. Vargas. 2000. Local enhancement of arrivals
of Ceratitis capitata females on fruit mimics. Entomol. Expl. Applic. 97: 211-217.
Vargas, R.I., and M. Ramadan. 2000. Comparisons of demographic parameters: six parasitoids
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and their fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) hosts. Pp. 733-738 In Tan,
K.-H. (ed.) (2000). Area-Wide Control of Fruit Flies and Other Pests. Joint Proceedings of the
International Conference in Area-Wide Control of Insects Pests and the Fifth International
Symposium on Fruit Flies of Economic Importance, both held in June 1998 in Penang, Malaysia.
Pulau Penang: Penerbit Universiti Sains.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, M.H. Kido, H.M. Ketter, and L.C. Whitehand. 2000. Methyl
eugenol and cue-lure traps for suppression of male oriental fruit flies and melon flies (Diptera:
Tephritidae) in Hawaii: effects of lure mixtures and weathering. J. Econ. Entomol. 93: 81-87.
Vargas, R.I., W.A. Walsh, D. Kanehisa, J.D. Stark, and T. Nishida. 2000. Comparative
demography of three Hawaiian fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) at alternating temperatures. Ann.
Entomol. Soc. Amer. 93: 75-81.
Bautista, R.C., E.J. Harris, and R.I. Vargas. 2001. The fruit fly parasitoid Fopius arisanus:
reproductive attributes of pre-released females and the use of added sugar as a potential food
supplement in the field. Entomol. Exp. et Appl. 101: 247-255.
Mau, R.F.L., R.I. Vargas, E.B. Jang, and L. Wong. 2001. HAW-FLYPM – Hawaii Area-Wide
Fruit Fly Pest Management. Publications and Information Office, UH-CTAHR, Honolulu, HI.
(Extension Bulletin)
Vargas, R.I., S.L. Peck, G.T. McQuate, C.G. Jackson, J.D. Stark, and J.W. Armstrong.
2001. Potential for area-wide integrated management of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae) with a braconid parasitoid and a novel bait spray. J. Econ. Entomol. 94: 817-825.
Vargas, R.I., M. Ramadan, T. Hussain, N. Mochizuki, R. Bautista, and J. Stark. 2002.
Comparative demography of six fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera:
Braconidae). Biol. Cont. 25: 30-40.
Vargas, R.I., N.W. Miller, and R.J. Prokopy. 2002. Attraction and feeding responses of
Mediterranean fruit fly and a natural enemy to protein baits laced with two novel toxins,
Phloxine B and Spinosad. Entomol. Exper. Appl. 102: 273-282.
Barry, J.D., R.I. Vargas, N.W. Miller, and J.G. Morse. 2003. Feeding and foraging of wild
and sterile Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the presence of Spinosad bait. J.
Econ. Entomol. 96: 1405-1411.
Jackson, C.G., R.I. Vargas, and D.Y. Suda. 2003. Populations of Bactrocera cucurbitae
(Diptera: Tephritidae) and its parasitoid, Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in
Coccinia grandis (Cucurbitaceae) or ivy gourd on the island of Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol.
Soc. 36: 39-46.
Jang, E.B., D. McInnis, R.I. Vargas, and R.F.L. Mau. 2003. Area-wide integrated pest
management of fruit flies in Hawaiian fruits and vegetables. In Proceedings of the Third
Research Co-ordination Meeting of the Research Project on “Quality Assurance of mass
produced and released Fruit Flies for SIT Programmes.” Perth, Australia.
Mau, R.F.L., E.B. Jang, R.I. Vargas, M.Y. Chou, C. Chan, and J.S. Sugano. 2003.
Implementation of a geographic information system with integrated control tactics for Areawide
fruit fly management. Pp. 23-33 In Ho, C.C., C.C. Tzeng, L.M. Hsu, J.T. Yang, and S. C. Wang
(eds.). Proceedings of the Workshop on Plant Protection Management for Sustainable
Development: Technology and New Dimension (The Plant Protection Society of the Republic of
China.
Prokopy, R.J., N.W. Miller, J.C. Piñero, J.D. Barry, L.C. Tran, L. Oride, and R.I. Vargas.
2003. Effectiveness of GF-120 fruit fly bait spray applied to border area plants for control of
melon flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 96: 1485-1493.
Rull, J., R.J. Prokopy, and R.I. Vargas. 2003. Effects of conspecific presence on arrival and
use of hosts in Ceratitis capitata flies. J. Insect Behavior. 16: 329-346.
Stark, J.D., and R.I. Vargas. 2003. Demographic changes in Daphnia pulex (Leydig) after
exposure to the insecticides, Spinosad and Diazinon. Ecotox. Env. Safety. 56: 334-338.
Uchida, G.K., D.O. McInnis, R.I. Vargas, B.R. Kumashiro, L.M. Klungness, and E.B. Jang.
2003. Non-target arthropods captured in Cue-lure baited bucket traps at area-wide pest
management implementation sites in Kamuela and Kula, Hawaiian Islands. Proc. Hawaii
Entomol. Soc. 36: 135-143.
Vargas, R.I., E.B. Jang, and L.M. Klungness. 2003. Areawide pest management of fruit flies in
Hawaiian fruits and vegetables. Pp. 37-46 In Recent Trends on Sterile Insect Technique and
Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management. Research Institute for Subtropics.
Vargas, R.I., N. Miller, and J.D. Stark. 2003. Field trials of Spinosad as a replacement for
naled, ddvp, and malathion in methyl eugenol and cue-lure bucket traps to attract and kill male
oriental fruit flies and melon flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 96: 1780-
1785.
Bautista, R.C., E.J. Harris, R.I. Vargas, and E.B. Jang. 2004. Parasitization of melon fly,
(Diptera: Tephritidae) by Fopius arisanus and Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and
the effects of fruit fly substrates on host preference by parasitoids. Biol. Cont. 30: 156-164.
Kaplan, K. 2004. Hawaii Fights Back Against Fruit Flies. USDA, ARS Agricultural Research.
February 2004 issue: Pp. 4-9. (Popular Article co-written by Roger Vargas)
Miller, N.W., R.I. Vargas, R.J. Prokopy, and B.E. Mackey. 2004. State-dependent
attractiveness of protein bait and host fruit odor to Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae)
females. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 97: 1063-1068.
Prokopy, R.J., N.W. Miller, J.C. Piñero, L.K. Oride, N. Chaney, H.C. Revis, and R.I.
Vargas. 2004. How effective is GF-120 fruit fly bait spray applied to border area sorghum plants
for control of melon flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)? Florida Entomol. 87: 354-360.
Revis, H.C., N.W. Miller, and R.I. Vargas. 2004. Effects of aging and dilution on attraction and
toxicity of GF-120 fruit fly bait spray for melon fly control in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 97:
1659-1665.
Stark, J.D., J.E. Banks, and R.I. Vargas. 2004. How risky is risk assessment? The role that life
history strategies play in susceptibility of species to stress. Proc. National Acad. Sci. 101: 732-
736.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, and N.W. Miller. 2004. Toxicity of spinosad in protein bait to three
economically important tephritid fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their parasitoids
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 911-915.
Vargas, R.I., N.W. Miller, J. Long, K. Delate, C.G. Jackson, G. Uchida, R.C. Bautista, and
E.J. Harris. 2004. Releases of Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and sterile flies
against melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 1531-1539.
Klungness, L.M., E.B. Jang, R.F.L. Mau, R.I. Vargas, J.S. Sugano, and E. Fujitani. 2005.
New approaches to sanitation in a cropping system susceptible to tephritid fruit flies (Diptera:
Tephritidae) in Hawaii. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manag. 9: 5-14.
Peck, S.L., G.T. McQuate, R.I. Vargas, D.C. Seager, H.C. Revis, E.B. Jang, and D.O.
McInnis. 2005. Movement of sterile male Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in a
Hawaiian agroecosystem. J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 1539-1550.
Stark, J.D. and R.I. Vargas. 2005. Toxicity and hazard assessment of fipronil to Daphnia pulex.
Ecotox. Env. Safety. 62: 11-16.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, and R. Bull. 2005. Weathering trials of Amulet C-L and Amulet M-E
attract and kill stations with male melon flies and oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in
Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 1551-1559.
Barry, J., N.W. Miller, J.C. Piñero, A. Tuttle, R.F.L. Mau, and R.I. Vargas. 2006.
Effectiveness of protein baits on melon fly and oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): attraction
and feeding. J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 1161-1167.
Chang, C.L., R.I. Vargas, and E.B. Jang. 2006. Development and assessment of a liquid larval
rearing diet for Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer.
99: 1191-1198.
Jang, E.B., R.F.L. Mau, R.I. Vargas and D.O. McInnis. 2006. Exporting fruit from low fruit
fly prevalence zones with a multiple mitigation systems approach. Food and Fertilizer
Technology Center, ASPAC, Okinawa, Japan. Extension Bulletin 584.
Mau, R.F.L., J.S. Sugano, E.B. Jang, R.I. Vargas, and L. Wong. 2006. Public and private
partnerships in area-wide fruit fly pest management for the benefit of farmers: the Hawaii
experience. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center, ASPAC, Okinawa, Japan. Extension
Bulletin 583.
Piñero, J.C., I. Jacome, R.I. Vargas, and R.J. Prokopy. 2006. Response of female melon fly,
Bactrocera cucurbitae, to host-associated visual and olfactory stimuli. Entomol. Exper. Appl.
121: 261-269.
Uchida, G.K., B.E. Mackey, R.I. Vargas, J.W. Beardsley, D.E. Hardy, M.L. Goff, and J.D.
Stark. 2006. Response of nontarget insects to methyl eugenol, cue-lure, trimedlure, and protein
bait bucket traps on Kauai Island, Hawaiian Islands, USA. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 38: 61-
72.
Vargas, R.I., R.F.L. Mau, L. Wong, and E.B. Jang. 2006. Successful utilization of the area-
wide approach for the management of fruit flies in Hawaii. Pp. 31-40 In Ku, T.Y. (ed.).
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Area-Wide Management of Insect Pests.
Okinawa, Japan. October 2006.
Vargas, R.I., and R.J. Prokopy. 2006. Attraction and feeding responses of melon fly and
oriental fruit fly to protein baits containing spinosad. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 38: 49-60.
Chang, C.L., and R.I. Vargas. 2007. Addition of wheat germ oil to a liquid larval diet for rearing
improved quality oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 322-326.
Harris, E.J., R.C. Bautista, R.I. Vargas, and E.B. Jang. 2007. Rearing Fopius arisanus
(Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Mediterranean fruit fly Diptera: Tephritidae). Proc.
Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 39: 121-126.
Kaplan, K. 2007. Less pesticide fewer fruit flies. USDA, ARS Agricultural Research. May-June
2007 issue: pp. 8-10. (Popular article co-written by Roger Vargas)
Mau, R.F.L., E.B. Jang, and R.I. Vargas. 2007. The Hawaii fruit fly area-wide fruit fly pest
management programme: influence of partnership and a good education programme. Pp. 671-
683 In Vreysen, M.J.B., A.S. Robinson, and J. Hendrichs (eds.). Area-Wide Control of Insect
Pests: From Research to Field Implementation. Springer, Dordrect, The Netherlands.
McQuate, G.T. and R.I. Vargas. 2007. Assessment of attractiveness of plants as roosting sites
for the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, and oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. J. Insect Sci.
7: 57: 1-13.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, and J.E. Banks. 2007. Incorporating ecologically relevant measures of
pesticide effect for estimating the compatibility of pesticides and biocontrol agents. J. Econ.
Entomol. 100: 1027-1032.
Uchida, G.K., B.E. Mackey, D.O. McInnis, and R.I. Vargas. 2007. Attraction of Bactrocera
dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) and nontarget insects to methyl eugenol bucket traps with
different preservative fluids on Oahu, Island, Hawaiian Islands. J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 723-729.
Vargas, R.I., L. Leblanc, R. Putoa, and A. Eitam. 2007. Impact of introduction of Bactrocera
dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) and classical biological control releases of Fopius arisanus
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on economically important fruit flies in French Polynesia. J. Econ.
Entomol. 100: 670-679.
Vargas, R.I., R.F.L. Mau, and E.B. Jang. 2007. The Hawaii fruit fly area-wide pest
management program: accomplishments and future directions. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 39:
99-104.
Jang, E.B., G.T. McQuate, D.O. McInnis, E.J. Harris, R.I. Vargas, R.C. Bautista, and
R.F.L. Mau. 2008. Targeted trapping, bait-spray, sanitation, sterile-male, and parasitoid releases
in an areawide integrated melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) control program in Hawaii. Amer.
Entomol. 54: 240-250.
Kaplan, K. 2008. Fruitful returns from fruit fly management project. USDA, ARS Agricultural
Research Magazine. February 2008 issue: pp. 10-13. (Popular article co-written by Roger
Vargas)
Vargas, R.I., L. Leblanc, R. Putoa, and J.C. Piñero. 2008. Classical biological control releases
of the natural enemies, Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata
(Ashmead), against oriental fruit fly in French Polynesia. Pp. 149-155 In Montoya Gerardo, P.J.,
F. Diaz Fleisher, and S. Flores Breceda (eds.). Proceedings of the 7th Meeting of the Working
Group on Fruit Flies of the Western Hemisphere. Mazatlan, Mexico. Nov 2-7, 2008.
Vargas, R.I., R.F.L. Mau, E.B. Jang, R.M. Faust, and L. Wong. 2008. The Hawaii Fruit Fly
Area-Wide Pest Management Program. Pp. 300-325 In Koul, O., G.W. Cuperus, and N.C. Elliott
(eds.). Areawide IPM: Theory to Implementation. CABI Books, London.
Vargas, R.I., R.F.L. Mau, L. Wong, R.M. Faust, and E.B. Jang. 2008. A Review of Novel
Technologies Developed through the Hawaii Area-Wide Pest Management Program for Control
of Fruit Flies. Pp. 11-17 In Proceedings of International Symposium on Recent Progress of
Tephritid Fruit Flies Management. Taichung, ROC.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, M. Hertlein, A. Mafra-Neto, R. Coler, and J.C. Piñero. 2008.
Evaluation of SPLAT with spinosad and methyl eugenol or cue-lure for “attract-and-kill” of
oriental and melon fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 759-768.
Klungness, L.M., R.I. Vargas, E.B. Jang, R.F.L. Mau, and K. Kinney. 2009. Update on the
susceptibility of avocado to invasive alien fruit flies (Tephritidae) on the island of Hawaii. Proc.
Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 41: 1-13.
Leblanc, L., D. Rubinoff, and R.I. Vargas. 2009. Attraction of nontarget species to fruit fly
(Diptera: Tephritidae) male lures and decaying fruit flies in traps in Hawaii. Environ. Entomol.
38: 1446-1461.
Mau, R.F.L., R.I. Vargas, E.B. Jang, and L. Wong. 2009. Hawaii Area-Wide Fruit Fly
Integrated Pest Management Program: A Model System. College of Tropical Agriculture and
Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. (AWPM Final Brochure)
McGregor, A.M., R.I. Vargas, and R.F.L. Mau. 2009. An economic evaluation of the Hawaii
fruit Fly area-wide pest management program. University of Hawaii Miscellaneous Publication.
Piñero, J.C., R.F.L. Mau, G.T. McQuate, and R.I. Vargas. 2009. Novel bait stations for
attract-and-kill of pestiferous fruit flies. Entomol. Experiment. et Applicata. 133: 208-216.
Piñero, J.C., R.F.L. Mau, and R.I. Vargas. 2009. Managing Oriental fruit fly (Diptera:
Tephritidae), with spinosad-based protein bait sprays and sanitation in papaya orchards in
Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 1123-1132.
Stark, J.D., and R.I. Vargas. 2009. An evaluation of alternative insecticides to diazinon for the
control of tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in soil. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 139-143.
Stark, J.D., and R.I. Vargas. 2009. Tephritid fruit fly life table construction and analysis. Pp.
159-168 In Bandeira, R.R. (ed.). Current trends in fruit fly control on perennial crops and
research prospects. Transworld Research Network, Kerala, India.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, N.W. Miller, and N. Chaney. 2009. Oral and topical toxicity of
fipronil to melon fly and oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 44: 308-313.
Vargas, R.I., J.C. Piñero, I. Jacome, H.C. Revis, and R.J. Prokopy. 2009. Effectiveness of
GF-NF Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait Spray against different ages of melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
females when applied to border crops of various widths. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 41: 15-
23.
Vargas, R.I., J.C. Piñero, R.F.L. Mau, J.D. Stark, M. Hertlein, A. Mafra-Neto, R. Coler,
and A. Getchell. 2009. Attraction and mortality of oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to
SPLAT-MAT-methyl eugenol with spinosad. Entomol. Experiment. et Applicata. 131: 286-293.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, R.E. Burns, R.F.L. Mau, P. Cook, and J.C. Piñero. 2009. Captures
in methyl eugenol and cue-lure detection traps with and without insecticides and with a Farma
Tech solid lure and insecticide dispenser. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 552-557.
Follet, P.A., and R.I. Vargas. 2010. A systems approach to mitigate oriental fruit fly risk in
‘Sharwil” avocados exported from Hawaii. Acta Horticulturae. 880: 439-445.
Froerer, K.M., S.L. Peck, G.T. McQuate, R.I. Vargas, E.B. Jang, and D.O. McInnis. 2010.
Long-distance movement of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Puna, Hawaii: how
far can they go? Amer. Entomol. (summer 2010 issue): 89-93.
Harris, E.J., R.C. Bautista, R.I. Vargas, E.B. Jang, A. Eitam, and L. Leblanc. 2010.
Suppression of melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations with releases of Fopius arisanus and
Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in North Shore Oahu, HI, USA. BioControl. 55:
593-599.
Leblanc, L., D. Rubinoff, and R.I. Vargas. 2010. Attraction of Ceratitis capitata ((Diptera:
Tephritidae) and endemic and introduced nontarget insects to BioLure bait and its individual
components in Hawaii. Environ. Entomol. 39: 989-998.
Leblanc, L., R.I. Vargas, and D. Rubinoff. 2010. A comparison of nontarget captures in
BioLure and liquid protein food lures in Hawaii. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 42: 15-22.
Leblanc, L., R.I. Vargas, and D. Rubinoff. 2010. Captures of pest fruit flies (Diptera:
Tephritidae) and nontarget insects in BioLure and torula yeast traps in Hawaii. Environ.
Entomol. 39: 1626-1630.
Piñero, J.C., R.F.L. Mau, and R.I. Vargas. 2010. Comparison of rain-fast bait stations versus
foliar bait sprays for control of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, (Diptera: Tephritidae), in
papaya orchards in Hawaii. J. Insect Science. 10: 157: 1-13.
Vargas, R.I., R.F.L. Mau, J.D. Stark, and J.C. Piñero. 2010. Evaluation of methyl eugenol
and cue-lure traps with solid lure and insecticide dispensers for monitoring and male annihilation
in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 409-415.
Vargas, R.I., J.C. Piñero, E.B. Jang, R.F.L. Mau, J.D. Stark, L. Gomez, L. Stoltman, and A.
Mafra-Neto. 2010. Response of melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) to weathered SPLAT-
Spinosad-Cue-Lure. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1594-1602.
Vargas, R.I., J.C. Piñero, R.F.L. Mau, E.B. Jang, L.M. Klungness, D.O. McInnis, E.J.
Harris, G.T. McQuate, R.C. Bautista, and L. Wong. 2010. Area-wide suppression of
Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata and Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera:
Tephritidae) in Kamuela Hawaii. J. Insect Sci. 10: 135: 1-16.
Vargas, R.I., T.E. Shelly, L. Leblanc, and J.C. Piñero. 2010. Recent advances in methyl
eugenol and cue-lure technologies for fruit fly detection, monitoring and control. Pp. 575-596 In
Litwack, G. (ed.). Vitamins and Hormones, Section: Pheromones, vol 83. Academic Press,
Burlington.
Manoukis, N.C., S.M. Geib, D.M. Seo, M.P. McKenney, R.I. Vargas, and E.B. Jang. 2011.
An optimized protocol for rearing Fopius arisanus, a parasitoid of tephritid fruit flies. Journal of
Visualized Experiments. JoVE. 53. 10.3791/2901.
Piñero, J.C., R.F.L. Mau, and R.I. Vargas. 2011. A comparative assessment of the response of
three fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) to a spinosad-based bait: effect of ammonium
acetate, female age, and protein hunger. Bull. Entomol. Res. 101: 373-381.
Piñero, J.C., S.K. Souder, L.E. Gomez, R.F.L. Mau, and R.I. Vargas. 2011. Response of
female Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), (Diptera: Tephritidae), to a
spinosad bait/polymer matrix mixture with extended residual effect in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol.
104: 1856-1863.
Leblanc, L., R.I. Vargas, B. Mackey, R. Putoa, and J.C. Piñero. 2011. Evaluation of cue-lure
and methyl eugenol solid lure and insecticide dispensers for fruit fly monitoring and control in
Tahiti. Florida Entomol. 94: 510-516.
Vargas, R.I., R.F.L. Mau, E.B. Jang, and L. Wong. 2011. Area-Wide Fruit Fly Integrated Pest
Management Program: A Model System. In Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on
Fruit Flies of Economic Importance. Valencia, Spain.
Chou, M.Y., R.F.L. Mau, E.B. Jang, R.I. Vargas, and J.C. Piñero. 2012. Morphological
features of the ovaries during oogenesis of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, in relation
to the physiological state. J. Insect Sci. 12: 1-12.
Vargas, R.I., L. Leblanc, E.J. Harris, and N.C. Manoukis. 2012. Regional suppression of
Bactrocera fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Pacific through biological control and
prospects for future introductions into other areas of the world. Insects: 727-742.
Vargas, R.I., L. Leblanc, R. Putoa, and J.C. Piñero. 2012. Population dynamics of three
Bactrocera spp fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and two introduced natural enemies, Fopius
arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae),
after an invasion by Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in Tahiti. Biol. Contr. 60: 199-206.
Vargas, R.I., S. Souder, B. Mackey, P.J. Cook, J.G. Morse, and J.D. Stark. 2012. Field trials
of solid triple lure (trimedlure, methyl eugenol, raspberry ketone, and DDVP) dispensers for
detection and male annihilation of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)
and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol: 105:
1557-1565.
Yao, S. and D. Obrien. 2012. Battling problem pests in paradise. USDA, ARS Agricultural
Research Magazine. February 2012 issue: pp. 12-13. (Popular Article co-written by Roger
Vargas)
Banks, J.E., J.D. Stark, R. Vargas, and A.S. Ackleh. 2013. Parasitoids and ecological risk
assessment: Can toxicity data developed for one species be used to protect an entire guild? Biol.
Contr. 59: 336-339.
Chang, C.L., I.K. Cho, Q.X. Li, N.C. Manoukis, and R.I. Vargas. 2013. A potential field
suppression system for Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). J. Asia-Pacific Entomol. 16: 513-519.
Harwood, J.F., K. Chen, H.G. Müller, J.L. Wang, R.I. Vargas, and J.R. Carey. 2013. Effects
of diet and host access on fecundity and lifespan in two fruit fly species with different life history
patterns. Physiol. Entomol. 38: 81–88.
Harwood, J.F., R.I. Vargas, and J.R. Carey. 2013. Leg impairment magnifies reproductive
costs in male Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata). Entomol. Experiment. et Applicata.
147: 73-81.
Leblanc, L., R.I. Vargas, and R. Putoa. 2013. From eradication to containment: invasion of
French Polynesia by Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and releases of two
natural enemies: a 17-year case study. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. 45: 31-43.
Mafra-Neto, A., F. de Lame, C.J. Fettig, and R.I. Vargas. 2013. Manipulation of insect
behavior with specialized pheromone and lure application technology (SPLAT®). ACS
Symposium Series. 1141: 31-58.
Piñero, J.C., S. Souder, and R.I. Vargas. 2013. Residual attractiveness of a spinosad-
containing insecticidal bait aged under variable conditions to wild female Bactrocera dorsalis
and B. cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Florida Entomol. 96: 1077-1083.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, S. Souder, A.J. Fox, R.S. Smith, and B. Mackey. 2013. A
comparison of the bio-insecticide, spinosad, the semi-synthetic insecticide, spinetoram and
synthetic insecticides as soil drenches for control of tephritid fruit flies. Biopestic. Int. 9: 120-
126.
Vargas, R.I., D. Haviland, B. Faber, J. Kabashima, B. Grafton-Cardwell, and J.G. Morse.
2013. Improving trapping systems for early detection and eradication of fruit flies (Diptera:
Tephritidae) in California. Citrograph (Summer 2013 issue): 28-34.
Vargas, R.I., J.D. Stark, J. Banks, L. Leblanc, N. Manoukis, and J.C. Piñero. 2013. Spatial
dynamics of two oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitoids, Fopius arisanus (Sonan)
and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), in a guava orchard
in Hawaii. Environ. Entomol. 42: 888-901.
Banks, J.E., J.D. Stark, R.I. Vargas, and A.S. Ackleh. 2014. Deconstructing the surrogate
species concept: a life history approach to the protection of ecosystem services. Ecol. Appl. 24:
770-778.
Benelli, G., K.M. Daane, A. Canale, C.Y. Niu, R.H. Messing, and R.I. Vargas. 2014. Sexual
communication and related behaviours in Tephritidae – current knowledge and potential
applications for Integrated Pest Management. J. Pest Sci. 87: 385-405.
Chang, C.L., and R.I. Vargas. 2014. Wheat germ oil and its effects on a liquid larval rearing
diet for Oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Jour. Econ. Entomol. 100: 322–326.
Manoukis, N.C., S.M. Geib, and R.I. Vargas. 2014. Effect of host Bactrocera dorsalis sex on
yield and quality of the parasitoid Fopius arisanus. BioControl. 59: 395-402.
Shelly, T., N. Epsky, E.B. Jang, J. Reyes-Flores, and R.I. Vargas (eds.). 2014. Trapping and
the detection, control, and regulation of tephritid fruit flies. Springer, Dordrecht. Xv+638pp.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, S.K. Souder, A.J. Fox, T.L. Smith, L. Leblanc, and B. Mackey.
2014. Simulated field applications of insecticide soil drenches for control of tephritid fruit flies.
Biopestic. Int. 10: 136-142.
Vargas R.I., L. Leblanc, J.C. Piñero, and K.M. Hoffman. 2014. Male annihilation, past,
present, and future. Pp. 493-511 In: Shelly T., N. Epsky, E. Jang, J. Reyes-Flores, and R.I.
Vargas (eds). Trapping and the detection, control, and regulation of tephritid fruit flies. Springer,
Dordrecht.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, R. Borges, A. Mafra-Neto, B. Mackey, M.Y. Chou, and H.
Spafford. 2014. Effectiveness of a sprayable male annihilation treatment with a biopesticide
against fruit flies (Dipera: Tephritidae) attacking tropical fruits. Biopestic. Int. 10: 1-10.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, K. Hoffman, J. Mercogliano, T.R. Smith, J. Hammond, B.J.
Davis, M. Brodie, and J.E. Dripps. 2014. Attraction and mortality of Bactrocera dorsalis to
STATICTM Spinosad ME weathered under operational conditions in California and Florida: a
reduced-risk male annihilation treatment. J. Econ. Entomol. 107: 1362-1369.
Gomez, L.E., M. Lysandrou, R.I. Vargas, and N.K.B. Venkata. 2015. SPLAT-MAT TM
spinosad ME: a new control strategy for Bactrocera species attacking mango. Acta Hortic. 1066:
161-167.
Hong, S.C., R. Magarey, D.M. Borchert, R.I. Vargas, and S. Souder. 2015. Site-specific
temporal and spatial validation of a generic plant pest forecast system with observations of
Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental fruit fly). NeoBiota 27: 37–67.
Khan, M., L. Leblanc, M.A. Bari, and R.I. Vargas. 2015. First record of the fruit fly
Bactrocera (Bactrocera) nigrofemoralis White & Tsuruta (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Bangladesh.
J. Entomol. Zool. Studies. 3: 387-389.
Piñero, J.C., S.K. Souder, T.R. Smith, A.J. Fox, and R.I. Vargas. 2015. Ammonium acetate
enhances the attractiveness of a variety of protein-based baits to female Ceratitis capitata
(Diptera: Tephritidae). Jour. Econ. Entomol. 108: 694–700.
Stark, J.D., R.I. Vargas, and J.E. Banks. 2015. Incorporating variability in point estimates in
risk assessment: Bridging the gap between LC50 and population endpoints. Environ. Toxicol.
Chem. 34: 1683-1688.
Vargas, R.I., J.C. Piñero, and L. Leblanc. 2015. An overview of pest species of Bactrocera
fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the integration of biopesticides with other biological
approaches for their management with a focus on the Pacific region. Insects. 6: 297-318.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, J.G. Morse, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, D.R. Haviland, J.N.
Kabashima, B.A. Faber, B. Mackey, and P. Cook. 2015. Captures of Wild Ceratitis capitata ,
Bactrocera dorsalis, and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Traps with Improved
Multilure TMR Dispensers Weathered in California. Jour. Econ. Entomol. 109: 607–612.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, E. Nkomo, P.J. Cook, B. Mackey, and J.D. Stark. 2015.
Weathering and chemical degradation of methyl eugenol and raspberry ketone solid dispensers
for detection, monitoring, and male annihilation of Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera
cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. Jour. Econ. Entomol. 108: 1612–1623.
Faleiro, J.R., A.M. Al-Shawaf, A.M. Al-Dandan, A. Al-Odhayb, A. Al-Rudayni, A.B.
Abdallah, M.P. Peixoto, R.I. Vargas, M. Bottom, S. Chidi, R. Borges, and A. Mafra-Neto.
2016. Controlled release products for managing insect pests. Outllooks on Pest Management. 27:
175-180.
Vargas, R.I., L. Leblanc, M. McKenney, B. Mackey, E.J. Harris, and K. Badji. 2016.
Rearing Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Mediterranean fruit fly and its
introduction into Senegal against Oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae). Proc. Hawaiian
Entomol. Soc. 48: 85-94.
Vargas R.I., J.C. Piñero, L. Leblanc, N.C. Manoukis, and R.F.L. Mau. 2016. Area-wide
management of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii. Pp. 673-693 In Ekesi S., S.
Mohamed, and M. De Meyer (eds.). Fruit Fly Research and Development in Africa - Towards a
Sustainable Management Strategy to Improve Horticulture. Springer.
Rauf, A., E.S. Ratna, …, R.I. Vargas, …, and T.C. Baker. 2017. Odor detection in insects:
Volatile codes. Journal of Entomology. 14: 157-165.
Banks J.E., J.D. Stark, R.I. Vargas, A. Veprauskas, and A. Ackleh. 2017. 11.5 Protecting
assemblages of biocontrol species: modeling a surrogate species approach. Pp. 175-177 In
Mason, P.G., D.R. Gillespie, and C. Vincent (eds.). Proceedings of the 5th International
Symposium on biological control of arthropods. Langkawi, Malaysia, September 11-15, 2017.
CAB International.
Banks J.E., R.I. Vargas, A.S. Ackleh, and J.D. Stark. 2017. Sublethal effects in pest
management: a surrogate species perspective on fruit fly control. Insects. 8: 78: 1-6.
doi:10.3390/insects8030078.
Piñero J.C., S.K. Souder, T.R. Smith, and R.I. Vargas. 2017. Attraction of Bactrocera
cucurbitae and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) to beer waste and other protein
sources laced with ammonium acetate. Florida Entomol. 100: 70-76.
Piñero J.C., S.K. Souder, and R.I. Vargas. 2017. Vision-mediated exploitation of a novel host
plant by a tephritid fruit fly. PLoS ONE 12(4): e0174636.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.017463.
Stark, J.D., J.E. Banks, and R.I. Vargas. 2017. 11.1 How differential stage susceptibility to
pesticides affects the success of biocontrol agents. Pp. 164-166 In Mason, P.G., D.R. Gillespie,
and C. Vincent (eds.). Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on biological control of
arthropods. Langkawi, Malaysia, September 11-15, 2017. CAB International.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, L. Leblanc, J.E. Banks, and J.D. Stark. 2017. 11.4 Integration of
Biopesticides with Natural Enemies for Control of Tropical Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Pp. 172-174 In Mason, P.G., D.R. Gillespie, and C. Vincent (eds.). Proceedings of the 5th
International Symposium on biological control of arthropods. Langkawi, Malaysia, September
11-15, 2017. CAB International.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, J.G. Morse, E.E. Grafton-Cardwell, D.R. Haviland, J.N.
Kabashima, B.A. Faber, B. Mackey, E. Nkomo, P.J. Cook, and J.D. Stark. 2017. Chemical
degradation of TMR Multilure dispensers for fruit fly detection weathered under California
climatic conditions. J. Econ. Entomol. 110: 1495–1500.
Vargas, R.I., S.K. Souder, P. Rendon, and B. Mackey. 2017. Suppression of Mediterranean
fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) with Trimedlure and Biolure dispensers in Coffea arabica
(Gentianales: Rubiaceae) in Hawaii. J. Econ. Entomol. 111: 293–297.
Blackwood, J.C., R.I. Vargas, and X. Favergue. 2018. A cascade of destabilizations:
Combining Wolbachia and allee effects to eradicate insect pests. J. of Anim. Ecol. 87: 59-72.
Spafford, H., M.Y. Chou, R.F.L. Mau, and R.I. Vargas. 2018. Suppression of female melon
fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, with cue‐lure and fipronil bait stations through horizontal insecticide
transfer. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 166: 94-101.
Vargas, R.I., J.C. Piñero, and N.W. Miller. 2018. Effect of physiological state on female
melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) attraction to host and food odor in the field. J. Econ. Entomol.
111: 1318–1322.
This tribute will appear in this year’s issue of the Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological
Society with substantially the same written content. We thank the editors for allowing us to
republish it here in FFN#37.”
Related links:
https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/hilo-hi/daniel-k-inouye-us-pacific-basin-agricultural-
research-center/tropical-crop-and-commodity-protection-research/people/roger-vargas/
http://www.citrusresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/Vargas-Tribute2018.pdf