Absence of Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly) in areas along the Orange River in the Northern Cape province of South Africa

Publication Date

Fri, 14 Dec 2018, 07:59

Last Updated

Dec. 14, 2018, 7:59 a.m.

Report Number

ZAF-44/1

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Bactrocera dorsalis - (DACUDO)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Citrus spp, Grape (Vitis spp) fruits (including Table-, Wine-, and Dried fruit varieties), produced or present in this area in South Africa are no longer under threat.

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Absent: pest no longer present

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Absent: pest no longer present

Geographical Distribution

Areas alongside or close to the Lower Orange River (Western Part), including Groblershoop, Grootdrink, Karos, Upington, Keimoes, Kakamas, Augrabies and Blouputs, in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

Summary

Several Bactrocera dorsalis specimens were detected between Groblershoop and Upington, including Grootdrink, Karos and Keimoes as well as Augrabies and Kakamas areas alongside or close to the Orange River, in ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Northern Cape province. The detections were encountered between the last weeks of February and April 2018, respectively.

The identifications of all the fruit fly specimens were confirmed by the nominated local fruit fly expert by means of molecular analysis.

Phytosanitary actions to restrict and control the movement of host material were implemented including all the areas under quarantine. Delimiting surveys were extended from Globlershoop to Blouputs which included production areas, home gardens and urban areas. Eradication, which included the application of weekly protein bait sprays and the deployment of male annihilation blocks, was implemented in all the citrus and table grape production areas between Kakamas and Blouputs. After more than 3 Oriental Fruit Fly generations, based on the calculation of accumulated degree days from the day when the last specimen was detected, to 31 November 2018, there were no further detections. The areas along the Orange River from Groblershoop to Blouputs are declared free from the presence of Bactrocera dorsalis. The status of the pest in this area is: Absent-Pest no longer present.

Danger

Any Immediate or potential danger of B. dorsalis has been prevented by successfully applied quarantine measures, as well as unsuitable climatic conditions, across the area.

Contact for info

Ms Muneiwa T. Ratshilingano Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Private Bag X14 Gezina 0031 South Africa [email protected]

Report files

Absence of Bactrocera dorsalis along the Orange river, Nothern cape province

Website

Issue keywords

Eradication/Successful eradication Insects/Insecta/Arthropods Pest status:Absent/Absence Risk Management

Commodity keywords

Citrus fruit, fresh or dried Grapes, fresh or dried