Identification, current status and economic importance of invadens

Ms. Julie Mokwele (Scientist) Division: Early Warning Systems Directorate Plant Health 05 October 2012 Outline 1. Background 2. General life-cycle of fruit 3. Biology of B. invadens 4. B. invadens identification 5. Examples of economic impacts of B. invadens 6. Current status of B. invadens in Province 7. Current status of B. invadens in 8. Conclusion

2 Background of B. invadens Scientific name Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White, 2005 (Diptera:)

Common name African invader fruit

Taxonomic Position Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Anthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Family: Tephritidae Genus: Bactrocera : invadens

3 Background cont……

• Asian origin (occurring in India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan)

• Is an invasive pest of Asian origin which was first detected on the African continent, in Kenya, in 2003

• Is a polyphagous species and attacks over 75 host species belonging to 13 plant families- commercial fruits includes Mango, Citrus, Guava, Banana, Peppers, Tomatoes and Cucurbits and many others.

• Established from East to West Africa as far north as Senegal and Sudan and south as far as northern Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.

4 Distribution of B. invadens

2003

2004-2007 2008 2010 2008 General life-cycle of fruit flies

6 Biology

•The females pierce the fruit using their ovipositor to lay their eggs in the pulp

•Each female can lay on average 700 eggs depending on the host.

• B.invadens is competing with indigenous Female B. invadens laying eggs fruit flies, marula fruit fly, C. cosyra, and

•The species is multivoltine (i.e. several generations/year) with an average life span of about 3 months.

7 B. invadens identification

Female B. invadens Male B. invadens B B. invadens identification cont………. of Clear wing with Two yellow strips on continuous dark coastal thorax band

Dark T-shaped marking on abdomen

9 Examples of economic impact of B. invadens in Africa

• Horticulture is an important income earner for South Africa with a gross farm income estimated at about 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.

• For citrus, deciduous and subtropical fruit industries, introduction of B. invadens in South Africa will not only impact on fruit production due to high direct damage caused by the pest but might also temporarily suspend or close down a number of export markets.

• B. invadens does not occur in any of the special markets South Africa trade with such as the USA, EU, Israel, Middle East countries, Russia, Japan, China and South Korea.

• USA has by 2008 issued a Federal Order which prohibits trade with infested countries unless from pest free areas, grown in isolated structures or treated with an approved post harvest treatment.

10 Cont…………………..  Due to the threat posed by B. invadens, phytosanitary measures were implemented by a number of countries to prevent entry of the pest. For instance, South Africa and Mauritius banned the importation of mango and avocado from Kenya.

 In 2007, first detection of B. invadens in the Niassa Province, Mozambique and this led to a temporary suspension of market access for fruit and vegetables to South Africa in 2008-which resulted to a loss of $2.5 million within 2 weeks.

 Currently, SA does not export to Botswana and Mauritius from areas that are under quarantine/ where incursions of B. invadens have been detected.

11 Current status of B. invadens in Limpopo Province • Detections in 2010 and 2011:  Groblersbrug (Waterberg district), Weipe, Beitbridge, Pondrift, , , Nwanedi, Tshipise (Vhembe district) - Eradication done.

• Detections in 2012:  Vhembe district (-Makhado, Levubu, Weipe, Beitbridge, Pondrift, Tshipise, town and Louisdrichardt)

 Waterberg district (Limburg, Groblersbrug, and Baltimore),

 Mopani (Tzaneen and Deerpak)

 Bohlabela district (Hoedspruit).

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Actions …………… • The identifications were done by par taxonomists and confirmed by an internationally recognized fruit fly taxonomist.

• Delimiting surveys in the above areas were initiated after the first detections and phytosanitary actions were implemented with immediate effect to prevent the movement of fruit from the area under delimitation.

• Eradication from these areas commenced after the detection of a second adult fruit fly in each of the affected areas with application of protein bait sprays, M3 bait station and the deployment of male annihilation blocks.

13 Conclusion  Currently the areas where B. invadens have been detected are under quarantine and eradication.

 DAFF has successfully maintained the status of SA to be country free of B. invadens and will continue to manage the situation and ensure that appropriate levels of protection are well taken in accordance with relevant international standards.

 The status notified to the IPPC is: -transient, actionable and under eradication.

14 For more information

 www.ippc.org then go to countries-then select South Africa

Fruit flies do not wait, they mate ......

Together we can make an impact!!!!!!! Contact Details

Ms. Julie Mokwele Tel: +27 12 319 6104 [email protected]

Mr. JanHendrik Venter Tel: +27 12 319 6384 [email protected]

“Don’t Bag a Bug!”