Eradication of Bactrocera invadens in the Northern Limpopo area in South Africa

Publication Date

Wed, 24 Nov 2010, 00:00

Last Updated

Nov. 23, 2010, 9:01 a.m.

Report Number

ZAF-07/2

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Bactrocera invadens - (BCTRIN)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Citrus spp are under immediate threat but other commodities that are exported and considered hosts of this pest and produced or present in this area in South Africa include man, guava, tomato, pepper (Capsicum spp) and several wild African fruits

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Absent: pest eradicated

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Absent: pest eradicated

Geographical Distribution

Two Bactrocera invadens specimens were detected in a Methyl Eugenol baited fruit fly trap close to Musina in the most northern part of the Limpopo province of South Africa adjacent to the Zimbabwe border.

Summary

On 5 May 2010 two possible exotic fruit fly specimens were detected in a Methyl Eugenol baited fruit fly trap in the most northern part of the Limpopo province adjacent to the Zimbabwe border. The fruit fly specimens were identified as Bactrocera invadens by the nominated local fruit fly expert and reported to Directorate Plant Health, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in accordance with the relevant legislation and national Action Plan. Subsequently this identification has been confirmed by an internationally recognised fruit fly taxonomist. The NPPO of South Africa initiated a delimiting survey on 12 May 2010. A risk assessment was conducted and phytosanitary actions were implemented with immediate effect to prevent the movement of fruit from the area under delimitation. Further delimitation towards the east, south and west of the point of detection was done amd eradication was initiated from the second week in June in a quarantined area. There were no detections for more than 12 weeks, or three life cycles, after the last fruit fly was detected in the quarantine area.

Danger

Potential spread or establishment of Bactrocera invadens into other production areas where its presence may impede the export potential of the relevant host commodities affected

Report files

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