Notification on the detection of Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly) in Bethlehem, in the Eastern Part of the Free State Province of South Africa

Publication Date

Thu, 11 Jul 2019, 12:45

Last Updated

July 11, 2019, 12:45 p.m.

Report Number

ZAF-48/1

Country

South Africa

Pest Id

Bactrocera dorsalis - (DACUDO)

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Malus spp. produced or present in this area in South Africa are affected.

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Transient: actionable, under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: transient

Geographical Distribution

Nine male Bactrocera dorsalis specimen were detected in Methyl Eugenol-baited traps in the Bethlehem area, in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, in the Free State Province between 25 February and 21 May 2019.

Summary

Several Bactrocera dorsalis specimens were detected in the affected area between the end of February and the third week of May, 2019.

A single male specimen of OFF was detected on 25 February 2019 from a Methyl Eugenol-baited fruit fly trap in Bethlehem. Two more specimens were detected from the same trap, on 16 April 2019. Subsequently, six more specimens were detected from four different delimiting traps, by 21 May 2019.

Bethlehem is situated in Thabo Mufutsanyana District Municipality, in the Eastern part of the Free State Province. The identifications of all the specimens were confirmed by a recognized entomologist though molecular analysis.

All the affected areas were quarantined; 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 accordance with the South African Bactrocera dorsalis Fruit Fly (SABiFF) Action Plan.

Eradication actions will be deployed for a minimum period of eight weeks or over two life cycles of the OFF if it is longer than 8 weeks. After implementation of eradication actions, a monitoring period of four weeks or one life cycle will be conducted. If there are no further detections during the monitoring period, the quarantine areas can be declared as free from the presence of Bactrocera dorsalis.

Danger

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

Contact for info

Ms Maria Mafadza Private Bag X14 Gezina 0031 South Africa [email protected]

Report files

Notification on the detection of Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly) in Bethlehem, Free State Province, South Africa

Website

Issue keywords

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

Commodity keywords

Fresh apples