On the symmetric square: unstable local transfer (Q1098875)

In applications of the Selberg trace formula it is necessary for most applications to show that elements of the Hecke algebras of the two groups to be compared which ``obviously'' correspond have orbital integrals which are equal on corresponding conjugacy classes. The authors developed a new and ingenious method to prove such results using the trace formula itself in an earlier paper [Publ. Math., Inst. Haut. Etud. Sci. 64, 53--110 (1986; Zbl 0616.10024)]. In this paper they apply essentially the same method to compare the unstable orbital integrals on \(\text{PGL}(3)\) (under the standard involution) with the usual ones for \(\text{PGL}(2)\). This will be used in the first author's study of the symmetric-square lifting from \(\text{SL}(2)\) to \(\text{PGL}(3)\) which is the subject of a sequence of further papers.