Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Ceratitis rosa Karsch, and Ceratitis cosyra (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are pests potentially associated with avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in South Africa. The aim of the study was to determine the host status of 'Hass' avocado to these tephritid pests over 4 yr. Unpunctured harvested avocado was exposed to fruit flies in the laboratory under no-choice conditions for 24 h. In field studies, each species was exposed for 48 h under no-choice conditions to avocado attached to the tree. Fruit was harvested immediately, 4, 8 and 18 d after exposure. In all the experiments, the fruit was incubated at 25 degrees C for 49 d after harvest. Hass avocado fruit was sourced from pack-houses throughout the avocado production areas and inspected for any internal pests. Similar inspections were done from 2005 to 2008 at arrival in Europe following standard export procedures. Analysis indicated that Hass avocado is a conditional nonhost for C. capitata and a poor but potential host for C. rosa and C. cosyra. No requirement for a risk mitigation treatment for C. capitata on South African Hass avocado was found. Fruit sampling data did not produce any infested fruit, suggesting that natural conditions and/or existing procedures functioning in a systems approach are likely to mitigate the quarantine risks of C. rosa and C. cosyra on Hass avocado in South Africa.
Sternochetus mangiferae (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a quarantine pest of mango, Mangifera indica L., in South Africa. The aim of the study was to test cultural and chemical control measures in a systems approach for risk mitigation of S. mangiferae in South Africa. A large-scale experiment, using a randomized block design with three replicates, was undertaken on 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes in South Africa. Five treatment combinations were applied over two seasons: (1) untreated control; (2) sanitation and physical removal of egg-infested fruit (P+S); (3) thiamethoxam, P+S; (4) thiamethoxam, fipronil, P+S; and 5) thiamethoxam, two fenthion applications, P+S. A weekly random sample of eight fruit from 40 trees per orchard was taken from 5 wk to harvest over two harvest periods. In total, 57,600 fruit were sampled. In a separate experiment, the same variety was used to test the efficacy of covering fruit with paper bags over one season in a completely randomized design. In both trials, all the pests were recorded from internal and external fruit inspections. In trial 1, results after the first season showed >98% control in the three chemical combination treatments. In the second season, treatment 2 provided 19% and treatment 3 99.9% control, whereas no fruit were infested with S. mangiferae in treatments 4 and 5. Trial two showed that fruit bagging significantly reduced S. mangiferae infestation. The data showed that a systems approach for S. mangiferae control in South Africa can be effective and that bagging can be an effective organic control option.
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