Notification on the detection of Bactrocera invadens in the Vhembe, Mopani and Waterberg Districts of South Africa

Publication Date

Wed, 22 Aug 2012, 00:00

Last Updated

Nov. 6, 2012, 9:01 a.m.

Report Number

ZAF-22/2

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 these areas notified in South Africa include man, guava, tomato, pepper (Capsicum spp.), cucurbits and several wild African fruits.

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Transient: actionable, under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: transient

Geographical Distribution

Male Bactrocera invadens specimens were detected in Methyl Eugenol baited fruit fly traps in the Vhembe (Dzanani-Makhado), Waterberg (Limburg and Baltimore) and Mopani (Tzaneen) districts of the Limpopo province of South Africa. Delimitation is implemente

Summary

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is confirming the detection of male specimens of Bactrocera invadens in the Vhembe (Dzanani-Makhado), the Waterberg (Limburg and Baltimore) and Mopani (Tzaneen) districts of the Limpopo province. The Dzanani-Makhado area is 22km northeast of Louis Trichard, the Tzaneen area is 97km southeast of Polokwane, the Limburg area, 42km northwest of Mokopane and the Baltimore area 121km northwest of Mokopane. The identifications are confirmed by an internationally recognized fruit fly taxonomist.

The NPPO of South Africa initiated delimiting surveys in the above areas after the first detections and phytosanitary actions were implemented with immediate effect to prevent the movement of fruit from the area under delimitation. Actions to eradicate this pest from these areas commenced after the detection of a second adult fruit fly in each of the affected areas. The South African National exotic fruit fly surveillance project started in 2006. A network of fruit fly traps was deployed as an early warning system to detect exotic fruit flies. Traps were placed in production areas, alongside road transects at ports of entry and in urban areas close to municipal garbage dumps, hotels, sports grounds and other strategic places countrywide.

Since the establishment of Bactrocera invadens in northern Namibia, northern Botswana and Mozambique as well as in the territories of several other African trading partners, surveillance has been intensified especially alongside the northern borders of South Africa. The fruit industry was recognized as a key role player to assist with the surveillance. Subsequently Citrus Research International (CRI), Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA), the South African deciduous fruit industry (Hortgro), South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and the Subtropical Growers Association became part of the official National exotic fruit fly detection survey. During 2010 and 2011, Bactrocera invadens has been detected in seven areas in South Africa and was successfully eradicated.

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.

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