The Pitcairn Islands group is a British Dependency comprised of four islands, of which only Pitcairn is inhabited by 65 people.
FRUIT FLY SPECIES: There are two species: Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni), that has spread to Pitcairn from French Polynesia, and the non-economic Bactrocera setinervis (Malloch), a Cue-lure fly known only from Pitcairn and Henderson.
FRUIT FLY CONTROL: 1.A consultancy on Fruit Fly Management and Control Strategies, and Vanilla Production techniques was conducted in Pitcairn Island from 7 October to 7 November 2002. It was funded by AusAID & NZODA through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in response to a request made by the Pitcairn Islands Commissioner, Mr. Leon Salt, who is based in New Zealand and the Pitcairn Island Council of ten members. The consultancy involved up-grading the fruit fly surveillance trapping and host survey work, training farmers on fruit fly control methods and vanilla production techniques. As a result of this consultancy, a preliminary host list for fruit flies in Pitcairn was established and quarantine staff were trained on surveillance activities. For more information on the report for this consultancy, contact Fruit Fly Component. 2. A first visit by a SPC staff was undertaken in February 2007 by the Biosecurity & Trade Facilitation Technician. As a result of this visit, their fruit fly surveillance trapping network was reviewed, more host survey carried out, a trial on the types of fruit fly control methods conducted for the farmers, training conducted on Emergency response to any incursion, surveillance trapping procedures and host survey procedures. Their biosecurity operation and importation systems were also reviewed and also there was a biosecurity awareness campaign conducted to the Pitcairn island community on the importance of biosecurity and respecting the biosecurity systems put in place. Fruit fly trap sites were also plotted on GPS as shown on the map below.
STATUS OF QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE (as of October 2007): There are 16 trapping sites with a Cue-lure and Methyl eugenol traps on Pitcairn island. Regularly sampled fruits for research and quarantine surveillance are rose apple, surinam cherry, guava, peach (Prunus persica), pomegranate, star apple, granadilla, banana, mango, Syzygium apples, capsicum, citrus fruits, tomato, avocado and papaya.
REFERENCES:
Cowley, J.M., Baker, R.T. 1993. Fruit Flies on Pitcairn: Options for Control/Eradication. Lynfield Plant Protection Centre. MAF Quality Management. New Zealand. 167pp.
Leblanc, L., Putoa, R. 2000. Fruit flies in French Polynesia and Pitcairn Islands. SPC Pest Advisory Leaflet. Draft. 4pp. (Also translated in French).
Download Pest Advisory Leaflet on Fruit Flies on Pitcairn in English or in French (216 Kb)
Page updated on: 23 October, 2007