Notification on the detection of Bactrocera invadens in the Ehlanzeni district municipality of South Africa

Publication Date

Mon, 17 Sep 2012, 00:00

Last Updated

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

Report Number

ZAF-23/2

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 Komatipoort area(Ehlanzeni district municipality) of the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Delimitation was implemented and was followed by actions for era

Summary

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is confirming the detection of male specimens of Bactrocera invadens in the Komatipoort (Ehlanzeni district municipality) of the Mpumalanga Province. The Komatipoort area is 8km from the Crocodile bridge gate into the Kruger National Park and 5km from the Mozambique border and 65km from the Swaziland border. The identifications were confirmed by an internationally recognised fruit fly taxonomist.

The NPPO of South Africa initiated delimiting surveys in the above area 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 this area 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), Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust (DFPT/ 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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