Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
The false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), fruit fly species of the genus Ceratitis (Diptera: Tephritidae), and the invasive oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), are pests associated with avocado production in South Africa. Phytosanitary measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of these pests into countries where they are not present. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of a systems approach to control T. leucotreta and fruit flies in ‘Hass’ avocado orchards. The systems approach included measures such as trapping with predetermined thresholds, field sanitation, fruit inspections with set thresholds, selective harvesting, and grading in the packing house, which were compared to an untreated control. Over 2 seasons, no infestations were detected in 5000 fruits inspected after harvest, both in the systems approach and control blocks. Based on these findings, the probability of a consignment being free of a T. leucotreta mating pair was 0.9999994, while the likelihood of it being free of fruit flies was 0.999999287. The study highlights the low infestation levels and poor host suitability, suggesting that a systems approach could be an effective strategy to mitigate the pest risks associated with T. leucotreta and fruit flies in ‘Hass’.
Key words: Systems approach, risk mitigation fruit flies, risk mitigation, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, Persea americana ‘Hass’, Ceratitis, Bactrocera dorsalis.
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