Notification on the detection of Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly) in several District Municipalities in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa

Publication Date

Fri, 28 Jun 2019, 07:14

Last Updated

June 28, 2019, 7:14 a.m.

Report Number

ZAF-46/1

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Bactrocera dorsalis - (DACUDO)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Citrus spp., Grape (including Table-, Wine-, and Dry grape varieties); Plum, Pomegranate fruits produced or present in this area in South Africa are under threat.

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Transient: actionable, under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: transient

Geographical Distribution

Several male, Bactrocera dorsalis specimens, were detected in Methyl Eugenol-baited traps between Douglas and Prieska, situated approximately 300 km East of Upington as well as in Groblershoop, Karos, Upington, Kakamas and Augrabies, areas alongside or close to the Orange River, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Other male detections occurred in Jan Kempsdorp, which is approximately 400km from North-West of Upington.

Summary

Several male, Bactrocera dorsalis specimens, were detected in Methyl Eugenol-baited traps from Douglas to Kakamas, areas alongside or close to the Orange River, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.

Four specimens were collected from Douglas and two specimens from Prieska, situated approximately 300 km West of Upington, where wine grapes are produced.

In Groblershoop, also an area of wine and dry grapes production, approximately 110 km from Upington, two specimens were detected. Two specimens were detected in Karos, situated 50 km West of Groblershoop. Three specimens where detected in Upington, two specimens from Kakamas, and three specimens from Augrabies, where raisins table and wine grapes are produced. Citrus and pomegranates are also produced at the Kakamas area which is about 96 km from Upington, whereas Augrabies is situated 29 km West of Kakamas.

Groblershoop, Karos, Upington, Kakamas and Augrabies, are areas situated alongside or close to the Orange River in ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, whereas Douglas and Prieska are in Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality.

The detections in areas near the Orange river and the Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality were encountered between the First weeks of February and April, as well as the second week of May 2019.

Two male Bactrocera dorsalis specimens were detected in the last week of April 2019, in Jan-Kempdorp, which is approximately 400 km from Upington, in the Frances Baard District Municipality.

The identifications of all the specimens were confirmed by an expert in Entomology through the molecular analysis (PCR).

The delimiting surveys and phytosanitary actions to restrict and control the movement of host material were initiated with immediate effect after the first detections in all the affected areas. Actions to eradicate the pest were also applied and currently in place.

Danger

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

Contact for info

Ms Shirley Mathelemuse Private Bag X14 Gezina 0031 South Africa [email protected]

Report files

Notification on the detection of Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly) in several District Municipalities in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa

Website

Issue keywords

Delimiting survey Economic impact Eradication/Successful eradication Insects/Insecta/Arthropods Restrictions

Commodity keywords

Citrus fruit, fresh or dried Dried grapes Fresh grapes Fresh plums and sloes