BIOSECURITY MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE OF EXOTIC PESTS
Under its mandate to protect Fiji from the entry, establishment and spread of exotic plant and animal pests and diseases, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) undertakes monitoring and surveillance activities. In this week’s article, we look closely at some of the important exotic plant pests that BAF is concerned about and the programs in place to keep these pests out of the country. The Monitoring and Surveillance Program overall involves pre-border, border and post border risk mitigation activities. ‘Pre-border’ activities ensure that biosecurity risks associated with the import of commodities are eliminated at the county of origin before these are exported to Fiji. These activities would include auditing of commodity pathways at the originating country, import risk assessments and biosecurity import specifications that provide guidelines for treatment of commodities. ‘Border’ activities carried out at the airports and seaports include profiling and clearance of vessels, aircraft, passengers, transit cargo and screening of parcels at mail centers, supervision of treatments in the case of non-compliance, supervision of garbage disposal, bonding of foreign animals and monitoring of yachts. The main purpose of this activity is to ensure that all conveyances, persons and cargo arriving into Fiji do not become pathways for the introduction of exotic plant and animal pests and diseases. ‘Post Border’ activities carried out at the ports of entry and Biosecurity Approved Premises (BAPs) includes inspection of imported cargo and supervision of treatment. Post Border activities also extend into pest surveillance by BAF throughout the Fiji island chain.
Conducting pest surveillance to determine pest incidence in Fiji
Surveillance for exotic pests and diseases is an integral BAF activity implemented to act as an ‘early warning system’. In the case that exotic pests are found during regular surveillance (or if an incursion is detected), BAF will be able to execute containment and eradication programs in a timely manner to prevent the exotic pest from spreading. Below we highlight some of the exotic plant pests under BAF surveillance radar.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies cause considerable damage to several important agricultural commodities. There are seven species of Tephritid fruit flies known to occur in Fiji, however, the introduction of new species would cause economic losses from destruction and spoilage of host commodities, costs associated with implementing control measures and loss of international markets due to restrictions on shipment of host commodities. BAF fruit fly surveillance operations include a preparatory phase followed by the field operations phase. Modified Steiner traps are used to monitor population levels of local fruit flies of economic importance to Fiji and also to ensure exotic fruit flies have not come into the country. Such data also helps to negotiate for international trade markets. BAF fruit fly traps are strategically placed in various locations around Fiji. These include areas close to ports of entry (for example jetties, marinas, wharves, airstrips and airports), areas with high foreign visitor arrivals (for example hotels, resorts, embassies, high class residential zones and industrial points) as well as outer islands (for example islands in the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups) Steiner traps (known as dry traps) use a chemical agent (Malathion insecticide mixed with pheromone lures) to kill the trapped fruit fly inside the trap. The killed fruit flies are collected in dried form from the traps and placed in labelled cardboard boxes, securely closed to retain the contents and then sent to the BAF Entomology laboratory for count and identification. The effective use of traps in undertaking fruit fly surveys relies on the combined ability of the trap, attractant and killing agent to attract and capture target fruit fly species and then to kill and preserve them for effective identification, counting, data collection and analysis. BAF surveillance staffs are well-skilled in deploying and servicing traps.
Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA)
RIFA (Solenopsis invicta) are a serious pest because they have the potential to cause major social, environmental and economic impacts in Fiji. Environmental impacts: RIFA ants are very aggressive and are voracious feeders on small ground fauna, including insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals. The ants’ habit of eating or damaging seeds can cause major changes in an ecosystem over time. Fire ants are also predatory, attacking insects and animals that pollinate native plants. Damage to the agricultural industry: mounds formed by RIFA nests can be a serious problem in lawns, sporting fields and golf courses. The ant’s activities and their nesting materials can cause expensive damage to sensitive electrical equipment. They can also affect the tourism industry as well as export/trade of restricted items with RIFA-free countries. Newborn or hatching animals are particularly prone to RIFA attacks that can lead to death. Fire ants attack young animals and sting in and around the eyes, which can lead to blindness; and around the mouth and nose, which can lead to swelling and suffocation. Fire ants also invade the food and water supplies of animals. The animals are unable to reach the food or water without being seriously stung, and this can lead to starvation and dehydration. Fire ants sometimes feed on seeds, and can fatally damage some plants by tunneling through roots and stems. They protect some species of agricultural pest insects that produce ‘honeydew’. This downgrades the quality of produce and assists in the spread of some diseases. Furthermore, RIFA may also feed on important biological control agents and interfere with integrated pest management practices. BAF RIFA Surveillance activities consist of the following: Placing baits (consisting of a protein and sugar source) at strategic locations such as seaports, airports, boat building areas, flower patches near entry points and container bays to attract ants Collecting the specimens and sending the samples to BAF Entomology laboratory for identification The protein base for the bait is prepared by smearing blended (smooth) peanut butter (the size of half a pea) and soybean oil to the inner side of each bait container and a placing a small piece of sausage inside it. The sugar base composition for the bait is prepared by placing a plug of cotton wool soaked in 20% sugar solution on the inner side of the container. The bait is placed without the lid to attract ants. Collection is done at half hour intervals.
Giant African Snail (GAS)
GAS (Achatina fulica) is a serious herbivorous agricultural pest that can feed on more than 500 different kinds of plants. Although majority of the Pacific Island Countries that we trade with have GAS, Fiji remains GAS free. They have a high reproduction rate – one snail can lay around 1,200 eggs in a year and due to the lack of natural enemies, large portion of these survive and infest crops. Not only will they affect our agriculture sector but will also impact our economy heavily. GAS surveillance carried out by BAF involves laying of snail bait (Blitzem) around strategic locations such as ports of entry and container yards. This activity is carried out on regular basis to ensure early detection of this exotic and troublesome snail species.
Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)
AGM (Lymantria dispar) is present in China, far eastern Russia, Korea, and Japan. AGM larvae feed on the foliage of about 600 plant species including pine, fruit trees, and ornamentals. AGM egg masses are tolerant of extremes in temperature and moisture. They are commonly found on ship hulls and rigging, cargo containers, vehicles, logs, pallets and aircrafts. Females can fly long distances; about 20 miles. BAF has placed AGM traps at strategic locations which are regularly monitored and serviced.
Awareness on exotic pests and diseases
Protecting the flora and fauna, the livelihood and the environment from exotic pests and diseases that are harmful to our country is the responsibility of everyone who lives in Fiji and those who visit Fiji. As the national plant protection organization, BAF endeavors on educating the public on exotic pests of concern so that every citizen and visitor takes the onus and the pride in protecting Fiji, its unique biodiversity and pristine environment. BAF conducts awareness activities at various events such agriculture shows, government road shows, carnivals, secondary school/tertiary institution open days, tikina and provincial council meetings, church group meetings and importer/exporter dialogues amongst others. BAF requests public support and collaboration in keeping the above mentioned pests out of our country. Note: The surveillance methods stated in this article have been simplified for public understanding