Abstract:
Tephritid fruit flies remain one of the most economically important species in horticulture,
particularly in developing countries. Since 2009 Swaziland has been conducting a national fruit
fly surveillance programme with the primary objective of developing an early warning system
for invasive fruit fly species, particularly the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).
This species was subsequently detected in January 2013 in the northern region of the country on
the border with South Africa. Readily available and holistic integrated pest management
suppression strategies on ten smallholdings were carried out and fruit fly populations monitored
to ascertain a cost-effective strategy for population suppression. Data indicated that traps from
smallholder farmers had consistently higher mean number of flies per trap compared to the
commercial estates. Results will enable the formulation of a cost-effective and sustainable
approach for fruit fly management in the country. Current data from the national fruit fly
monitoring programme indicates that B. dorsalis has established in the northern region of the
country and became the dominant pest species within three years of incursion. Current efforts
are intended to minimize its spread and impacts, both economically and ecologically, in order to
ensure continued fruit trade. |
