Invasive fruit fly eradicated in N Cape

Growers warned to continue to monitor insect population levels and implement measures timeously

THE invasive fruit fly, which targets citrus, deciduous and subtropical fruits, has been eradicated.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development yesterday said the Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental fruit fly or OFF) was detected in the Pixley ka Seme and ZF Mgcawu municipalities in the Northern Cape last year.

“Phytosanitary actions were implemented to control the movement of fruit from the areas under delimitation. Eradication, which included the application of protein bait sprays, deployment of male annihilation blocks and strict field sanitation within the quarantine areas was successfully conducted.

“The areas from Douglas to Prieska as well as between Groblershoop and Augrabies have been declared free from the presence of Bactrocera dorsalis,” the department said.

The pest first entered South Africa in 2010, and since then the Exotic Fruit Fly Surveillance Programme has been set up.

The fruit fly can be suppressed in areas where it has established itself by practising effective orchard/field sanitation, chemical control and restricting the removal of host material from quarantine areas to non-quarantine areas.

“Monitoring of the fruit fly population levels remains critical and growers must implement a monitoring programme for early detection or to ensure measures are implemented in time.”

The department has also reminded owners of cattle, sheep and goats to vaccinate their animals against Rift Valley Fever (RVF), as good rainfall in certain areas of the country recently will result in an increase in the numbers of mosquitoes that transmit this disease.

RVF is a serious viral disease spread through mosquitoes that causes abortions and death in young cattle, sheep and goats.

People coming into contact with the blood and other body fluids of infected animals can also develop RVF.

“Farmers are advised to vaccinate all cattle, sheep and goats against Rift Valley Fever, especially in areas that have recently received rainfall.

“Live vaccine can only be used in non-pregnant animals as the live vaccine can cause abortions.

“Only dead/inactivated vaccines must be used in pregnant animals. It is the responsibility of the animal owners to vaccinate their animals and prevent loss.

“Any suspicion of RVF disease must be reported immediately to the nearest state veterinarian,” the department said.