PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC - FRUIT FLY MANAGEMENT

PROJECT (PMP – FFM) (2001-2004)

Six-monthly reports of achievements

Fruit fly activities in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories constitute Component 2 – Fruit Fly Management of the Project on Pest Management in the Pacific. For more information, consult the project document

Output 2.1: Sustainable fruit fly management practices adopted at farm level

2.1.1 Demonstrate integrated field control using bagging, destruction of crop residues, protein bait sprays and early harvesting at the commercial level production in Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu, Samoa, Niue, Palau	Nov00-Apr01: Carried out Area Control Trial in Niue and Samoa using Field sanitation on crop hygiene and protein bait spraying. May-Oct01: Completed trials on Area Control in Niue and Samoa. Trials on fruit bagging of mango in Fiji has commenced. Nov01-Apr02: Completed bagging trial on banana in PNG and Thai guava in Fiji. Analysis of protein bait spraying data in Samoa done.
2.1.2 Bait Spray Development and demonstration using Mauri’s Pinnacle Protein Insect Lure and Bactrogel as an alternative to Malathion on: citrus in PNG Highlands, guava in East New Britain, curcubits in SI and PNG (Laloki & Kerevat), chillies in PNG (Bubia), and wi on Niue.	Nov00-Apr01: Completed Area Control Trial using Wi (Spondius dulcis) in Niue. May-Oct01: Area Control Trial using Wi (Spondius dulcis) in Niue completed. This trial will be repeated in 2002. Completed protein bait spraying trials using Bactrogel on capsicum in Tonga and papaya in Samoa. Farmer demonstration trials will be carried out in Niue, Tonga and Samoa in 2002. Nov01-Apr02: Standardised trial design for field fruit fly control. Commenced demonstration trials on protein bait spraying using Bactrogel & BactroMAT in Fiji and Niue earlier than planned. Tonga and Solomon trials to follow as scheduled
2.1.3 Preliminary research into conversion and field testing of waste brewery yeast to protein autolysate for bait spraying & encouragement to commercialize the process in Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, PNG. Assistance with the commercialization of protein bait produced by Vanuatu Tusker Brewery	Nov00-Apr01: RMFFP supplied autolysis equipment being commissioned. Provided advice to Vanuatu Tusker Brewery on production of Brewery Protein for fruit fly control. May-Oct01: RMFFP supplied autolysis equipment being commissioned. Provided advice to Vanuatu Tusker Brewery on production of Brewery Protein for fruit fly control. Consultation meetings with Carlton Brewery (Fiji) Ltd. on research on waste brewery yeast was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Sugar & Land Resettlement staff. Nov01-Apr02: Field testing of Tusker protein bait plus Bactrogel in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa pending. Vanuatu Tusker brewery waste production delayed. Feasibility study to be carried out in September.
2.1.4 Assess establishment and spread of biocontrol agents in FSM, Solomon Islands and Palau, and introduce biocontrol agents in Fiji (Viti Levu to Rotuma) and FSM (Pohnpei to Kosrae)	May-Oct01: Visited FSM and carried out host fruit survey to determine the establishment of Fopius arisanus in Pohnpei. Confirmed that Fopius arisanus is established in Palau and Pohnpei. Nov01-Apr02: Rearing of fruit fly parasites (Diacasmimorpha longicaudata) commenced in Fiji. Introduction of Fopius arisanus from Hawaii to Rotuma (Fiji) in October.
2.1.5 Sub-regional training on fruit fly management to be held for Micronesian countries and Territories, particularly Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)	Nov00-Apr01: Prepared sub-regional training in Palau on fruit fly surveillance for Northern Pacific Island Countries and Territories. May-Oct01: Carried out sub-regional training in Palau on fruit fly surveillance for Northern Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Nov01-Apr02: Area-wide suppression programme against banana fly in East New Britain Province of PNG has started. Public awareness has commenced. Farmer demonstration trial on bagging of fruit as a field control method is complete.

Output 2.2: Enhanced public awareness of fruit flies and their quarantine status

2.2.1 Pest advisory leaflets (PALs) on fruit fly control, quarantine risks, PNG fruit flies booklet and articles for newspapers, newsletters	Nov00-Apr01: Publication of PAL on fruit flies in PNG and completed PAL for Control of fruit flies and American Samoa, Tokelau, Niue, Tuvalu and Wallis and Futuna. May-Oct01: Publication of PAL on fruit flies in Tonga, Cook Islands and a Pest Alert No. 23 on Bactrocera philippinensis and B. occipitalis in Palau. Nov01-Apr02: Final draft of Samoa Pest Advisory Leaflet complete. Pest Alert on Queensland fruit fly in Cook Islands and Melon fly in Nauru distributed. Revised handbook on fruit flies in Solomon Islands.
2.2.2 Compile for publication draft material for a manual on fruit flies in the Pacific	Nov00-Apr01: Will be published in the fruit fly website. May-Oct01: Published on-line fruit fly manual with pages on trapping, host fruit surveys and laboratory rearing. Nov01-Apr02: Activity is being conducted by PPS Extension.
2.2.3 Update and upgrade of fruit fly website. Provide links to other websites such as PPS and GPPIS/ Ecoport	Nov00-Apr01: Fruit fly website is up-dated and links to PPS website made. May-Oct01: New pages on 'Feature News' and up-dated fruit fly species page. Nov01-Apr02: Fruit fly website up-dated.
2.2.4 Assist PICTs in publication of research results	Nov00-Apr01: Edited technical reports on Non-Host Status Testing for Fiji and Vanuatu. May-Oct01: Edited technical reports on Non-Host Status Testing for Fiji and Vanuatu. Nov01-Apr02: The authorship of fruit fly publications on RTMPP11 agenda. Publication on Nauru Fruit Fly Eradication program in Proceedings of conference on Invasive species in small islands. First draft of the paper on host fruits of mango fly in FSM.
2.2.5 Survey effectiveness of fruit fly awareness in PICTs during country visits	May-Oct01: Carried out radio & TV interviews; contributed to newsletter or newspaper articles on fruit fly awareness in Nauru, Niue, Cook Islands, Palau, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and Samoa. Nov01-Apr02: Public awareness on banana fly control in PNG and Queensland fruit fly eradication in Cook Islands ongoing. QFF eradication with AusAID funding in Cook Is a feature on Radio Australia.
2.2.6 Facilitate national public awareness on fruit flies control and quarantine risks using media such as radio, TV	Nov00-Apr01: Facilitated national public awareness by radio interviews on fruit fly control in Niue and fruit fly eradication and breadfruit problem in Nauru. Provided to PICTs laminated/ unlaminated posters on fruit fly: a quarantine notice to Samoa, Cook Is and FSM and posters on PNG fruit flies. May-Oct01: Provided fruit fly specimen collections of economic and non economic fruit fly species to 12 PICTs. Nov01-Apr02: Completed leaflet on fruit flies in Rotuma. Commenced discussions with Fiji Quarantine and PPS Extension on public awareness program.

Output 2.3: Improved and sustainable systems for national fruit fly surveillance

2.3.1 Coordinate and provide advice to PICTs on maintenance of permanent quarantine trapping sites and regular sampling of high-risk commodities as early warning systems against exotic species / Monitor surveillance programmes in all PICTs via a regular reporting system and visits to selected countries	Nov00-Apr01: Visited PNG, Palau, French Polynesia & Samoa to review and update quarantine surveillance status. Provided traps and lures to Wallis & Futuna. May-Oct01: Visited Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Nauru, Wallis and Futuna, FSM, Palau, French Polynesia, Cook Islands and reviewed quarantine surveillance systems. Provided traps and lures to AgriQuality (NZ) for the quarantine surveillance in Pitcairn Is. Fruit fly trapping was done on Pitcairn Is. Nov01-Apr02: Recommended the use of BactroMAT bait stations in traps for surveillance. Visited Cook Islands, New Caledonia, PNG and Nauru to review surveillance. Fruit fly insect collections are included with the other insect collections. A list of the fruit fly species in the collections completed.
2.3.2 Regular reviews of quarantine surveillance in all PICTs and sustainable services for fruit fly identification through refresher training workshops, held in conjunction with RTMPP and PPPO meetings and other plant protection workshops	May-Oct01: Visited 9 PICTs and provided hands-on refresher training to the staff working on Quarantine Surveillance for fruit flies. Nov01-Apr02: Received an up-date of fruit fly surveillance program from 19 PICTs. Reviewed the surveillance programs in PICTs.
2.3.3 Carry out analysis of confiscated fruit and vegetables and amnesty bin content	May-Oct01: This activity has not been carried out due to PICTs lack of commitment to this activity. This will be carried out and incorporated into the Regional Quarantine Awareness program in 2002. Nov01-Apr02: Programme with Fiji being developed. In Vanuatu, this activity will take place as part of the host fruit survey work and under the Quarantine Surveillance of VQIS.
2.3.4 Handover responsibility of quarantine surveillance to national quarantine institutions in PNG, Solomon Is, and Samoa	Nov00-Apr01: PNG NAQIA have taken the responsibility; Solomon Is have requested for involvement & Samoa requested for extension for a year. Nov01-Apr02: Arrangements have commenced with these NPPOs to commence budgeting for Quarantine Surveillance.
2.3.5 Maintain and update distribution and host record database on fruit flies in the Pacific	Nov00-Apr01: Compiled host fruit lists for Samoa, Cook Is and Fiji for database. May-Oct01: Completed Pacific fruit fly host record database using host records from 11 PICTs. Nov01-Apr02: Development of the host record database for fruit flies in the Pacific is complete. Fruit fly trapping database developed for PNG and Solomon Is.
2.3.6 PMP-FFM and FAO to provide assistance to carry out host fruit surveying and trapping in Christmas Island and other Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands Group in Kiribati to confirm the absence of exotic fruit flies and to determine fruit fly fauna present.	Nov00-Apr01: FAO has commenced sourcing of funds form Bangkok. This work will be done during the time of the major host seasons. May-Oct01: This assistance from FAO has not been finalized. Nov01-Apr02: Fruit fly survey in Christmas Is. is likely to be funded by FAO is scheduled to take place in June together with the Rat survey.
2.3.7 PMP-FFM to assist with re-establishment of the Quarantine Surveillance systems in Western Province in Solomon Islands to detect Asian papaya fruit fly and other exotic fruit flies, and to actively encourage and assist Wallis and Futuna to maintain their Quarantine Surveillance programme	Nov00-Apr01: Organised and funded for one Quarantine staff and Consultant overseeing the fruit fly work to travel to Western Province. May-Oct01: Visited Wallis and Futuna to re-establish fruit fly quarantine surveillance program. Nov01-Apr02: Host survey was carried out in the Northern Islands of Tonga in Dec01 and Jan02.
2.3.8 PMP-FFM to assist Tuvalu and Tokelau carry out collection of more specimens through host surveying to confirm the taxonomic identity of species in the B. passiflorae complex.	Nov00-Apr01: Planning and initial discussions with USP Alafua and Tokelau officials have started. May-Oct01: It was not possible to use the USP students as there are not many students from Tokelau or Tuvalu interested in the project. This activity will be carried out in 2002. Nov01-Apr02: Host survey in Tokelau will be carried out during the pest survey in June. Work on host survey in Tuvalu is scheduled during the PPS Entomologist or PICTs consultant’s visits.
2.3.9 Assist in establishment of sustainable quarantine surveillance through trapping and host fruit surveying in the Marshall Islands	Nov01-Apr02: Coordinator PPM has established fruit fly surveillance. Marshall Islands is the only PICT member to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Land Grant program has requested SPC’s assistance for the eradication of mango fly. Funding assistance is available to Marshall Islands from IAEA.
2.3.10 Encourage fruit fly taxonomists in Australia to complete taxonomic revisions of the musae, passiflorae and xanthodes complexes	Nov01-Apr02: Commenced the DNA analysis of B. xanthodes in New Zealand.
2.3.11 In collaboration with ACIAR, commission DNA studies to characterise species in the dorsalis, musae, neohumeralis and passiflorae complexes	Nov01-Apr02: DNA analysis of dorsalis complex in Palau is being conducted by Lincoln University.

Output 2.4: Increased regional and national preparedness to respond to fruit fly incursions

2.4.1 Review and upgrade ERPs in collaboration with national staff with SPC-PPS and actively encourage governments to endorse their ERPs	Nov00-Apr01: PNG fruit fly ERP completed. To be incorporated into the General ERP in June. May-Oct01: Reviewed PNG, Niue and Samoa fruit fly ERP. PNG Fruit Fly ERP is incorporated into the General ERP. Nov01-Apr02: Reviewed PNG and Cook Islands ERP for fruit flies. Findings will be incorporated in the general ERP for these countries
2.4.2 In consultation with general ERPs actively contribute to the promoting of the priority of agriculture disaster to the same level as natural disasters using fruit fly exotic incursions as an example	Nov00-Apr01: Consultations at PPPO3 and PHALPS 14. May-Oct01: Consultations at PPPO3 and PHALPS 14. This has been carried out in conjunction with the Plant Protection Service on the development of the general ERP for PICTs. Nov01-Apr02: Ongoing. Raised at RTMPP as item for promotion in all PICTS and also specifically with Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture and New Caledonia.
2.4.3 Maintain centrally stocks of chemicals, lures, traps, fibreboard blocks and plastic containers for emergency use in the event of an outbreak of an exotic fruit fly	Nov00-Apr01: Complete supply for stock pile purchased for emergency. May-Oct01: Complete supply for stock pile purchased for emergency. Nov01-Apr02: Provided emergency supplies to Cook Islands for Queensland fruit fly eradication.
2.4.4 Provide advice to PICTs (Nauru, French Polynesia, Palau & others) on eradication campaigns, where necessary	Nov00-Apr01: Carried out an audit on Nauru FFERAD in Feb & April. Advised F.Polynesia on use of BactroMAT. Completed Implementation Plan for Palau FF Eradication program. May-Oct01: Reviewed the French Polynesia Fruit Fly Eradication Program in September, 2001. Completed a technical assessment on the PNG Banana Fruit Fly Program. Nov01-Apr02: On-going technical advice provided to Cook Is., French Polynesia, Palau and Nauru. Review of the Quarantine systems in relation to the Queensland fruit fly eradication and Technical review of Queensland fruit fly eradication program completed.
2.4.5 Review current fruit fly eradication programme in Nauru	Nov00-Apr01: Review will be done in November 2001. May-Oct01: Carried out a technical review of the Nauru Fruit Fly Eradication Program in October 2001.
2.4.6 Training on ERPs and eradication, involving ERP dummy runs in conjunction with general ERP training in PICTs and eradication training in Palau (will involve northern Pacific PICTs)	Nov00-Apr01: Training of Northern Pacific Is & Territories on QS, general ERP & eradication May-Oct01: Completed training on ERP training and development of general ERP in PNG June 2001
2.4.7 RMFFP/FFM to assist in the planning and implementation of the Palau Eradication Program.	Nov00-Apr01: Completed implementation schedule for Palau Fruit Fly Eradication program. May-Oct01: Updated implementation schedule for Palau Fruit Fly Eradication program. Nov01-Apr02: Funding for the Palau Fruit Fly eradication not available. JICA has arranged a Senior Entomologist to assess the proposed implementation plan for eradication. FFM collaborating with JICA.
2.4.8 In collaboration with EU-PPPS project, run workshops on development of a generalised ERP for plant pests for selected countries, using fruit flies as the "case study pests" for the workshops	Nov01-Apr02: The management structure of the general ERP will be covered in the national workshop on Biosecurity arranged in Cook Islands.
2.4.9 Assist in carrying out a Pest Risk Assessment on fruit and vegetable imports into Palau, PNG, Tonga, Fiji Islands, Guam and FSM	Nov01-Apr02: Assisted IRAs for betel nut in Palau and pineapples in Fiji.
2.4.10 Conduct a feasibility study on eradication of melon fly from Guam and CNMI and assist in running a workshop to coordinate and harmonise surveillance and planning of eradication in both territories	Nov01-Apr02: This feasibility study will take place in June. Preparations for this study ongoing.

Output 2.5: Co-ordinated regional management of fruit flies

2.5.1 Continue annual consultative meetings of a Steering Committee to advise FFM on programmes by running annual Steering Committee Meetings in conjunction with PPPO and RTMPP meetings		Nov00-Apr01: Held 5th Steering Committee Meeting during PPPO3. May-Oct01: Consulted with PICTs for the planned activities for 2002. This was incorporated into the 2002 workplan. Nov01-Apr02: Organised the Fruit Fly Technical meeting during the RTMPP. The meeting endorsed the workplan for Year 2, with additional activities for FFM year 2.
2.5.2 Review FFM annually to determine progress and levels of sustainability at national and regional levels.		May-Oct01: Carried out a mandatory review on the fruit fly projects from 1990-2001. Nov01-Apr02: Sustainability of national fruit fly activities an issue at RTMPP 11. The funding assistance given to PICTs in Imprest Accounts have now ceased for the four PICTs (Tonga, Samoa, Cook Is and Fiji). Reviewed and revised the Junior Scientific Officers workplan in PNG.
2.5.3 Use PICT national staff for technical backstopping/training in other PICTs.		Nov00-Apr01: Fiji MAFF Plant Protection staff member used to train Quarantine and Plant Protection staff in Samoa & Niue on field control method in Niue May-Oct01: Fiji MAFF Plant Protection staff member used to train Quarantine and Plant Protection staff in Samoa & Niue on field control method in Niue. Nov01-Apr02: Fiji Extension, Quarantine and Natures Way Cooperative provided training on commodity pathway (Systems approach) development, to staff from Samoa and Vanuatu. Fiji Government fruit fly staff will represent the Pacific Fruit Fly program at the world fruit fly conference in South Africa and present a poster. Cooperative technical support is an on-going activity that is dependent on the PICTs willingness to allow national staff to participate like Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa.
2.5.4 Update and distribute list of Plant Protection and Quarantine staff in PICTs and Asia and suppliers for fruit fly equipment		Nov00-Apr01: List is updated with additional contacts included. May-Oct01: List is updated with additional contacts included.
2.5.5 Continue to liaise with private sector on financial and in-kind support for research into fruit fly control and quarantine treatments and develop a system of industry levy.		Nov00-Apr01: Maintained dialogue with private sector in Fiji. May-Oct01: Maintained dialogue with private sector in Fiji. Met with the Cook Islands Nita (Pawpaw) Growers association to discuss issues on the public awareness for fruit flies in Cook Islands. Nov01-Apr02: Provided advice on the involvement of private sector in fruit fly research in Samoa and Vanuatu. Discussions have taken place with private sector in PNG, Tonga and New Caledonia.
2.5.6 Compile six-monthly progress report		Nov00-Apr01: Completed 1st Quarter report. May-Oct01: Six-monthly report completed, budget and workplan for FFM for 2002. Nov01-Apr02: Six-monthly report completed. Catalogued reports (1990-2002) on the initial fruit fly projects in SPC library and electronically.
2.5.7 Regional training on refresher training courses on fruit fly management, taxonomy and use of new technologies for eradication programs in Brisbane	Nov01-Apr02: Training is scheduled for 5-9 August. PICTs currently working on field control trials using the new technologies will attend this training.

Output 2.6: Systems to fulfil negotiated trade protocols established nationally

2.6.1 Establish or maintain laboratory colonies of fruit fly species that have been previously unstudied yet are economically important, in the laboratories in PNG, Tonga, Palau and Solomon Islands	Nov00-Apr01: Rearing of mango fly in Palau in February 2001. May-Oct01: Commenced rearing of mango fly in Bubia research station in PNG. Nov01-Apr02: Established mango fly colonies in Bubia (PNG) and Palau. In Palau, the main constraint for this activity is staff. There has been an official request for a temporary staff to carry out this activity.
2.6.2 Study development rates of immature stages of fruit flies in fruits and artificial diets and initiate data collection on heat tolerance of eggs and larvae in PNG, Tonga and Palau	May-Oct01: Commenced biological studies and heat tolerance studies in Bubia, PNG. Nov01-Apr02: Commenced heat tolerance testing on mango fly in PNG. Vanuatu heat tolerance studies are complete.
2.6.3 Facilitate trade through the development of non-host status and forced hot air treatment by PICTs.	Nov00-Apr01: Provided advice on non-host status in Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa. Assistance given to Vanuatu and Samoa on developing of quarantine protocols for host status commodities. May-Oct01: Trained 3 Agricultural staff (representing Research, Extension and Quarantine Divisions) from Samoa on Non Host Status, Forced Hot Air treatments and commodity pathway development in Fiji. Nov01-Apr02: Advised Samoa and Vanuatu on market access requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables destined for New Zealand. Up-grading of experimental HTFA unit in Fiji. Advised Cook Islands on the systems approach audit requirements of New Zealand.
2.6.4 Compile status reports on fruit flies for Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands	Nov00-Apr01: Provided updated hosts lists. May-Oct01: Provided updated hosts lists. Trained 2 Plant Protection staff from Samoa and Tonga on the development of fruit fly status reports. Nov01-Apr02: Provided computers in Tonga and Samoa for fruit fly data analysis and recording. Preliminary status report complete for Wallis and Futuna. Final draft of fruit fly status report for Solomon Is. is complete.
2.6.5 Assist in negotiations with Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Japan on the development of quarantine treatments for fresh commodities: 1. Meeting with NZMAF on non-host status standard; 2. Continue negotiations with AQIS for export of fruit fly host fruits using forced hot air; 3. Initiate negotiations with USA the use of non-host status standards for fruit fly host commodities	Nov00-Apr01: Met with NZ Biosecurity to discuss review of Non-Host status Protocol. Assisted Fiji in development of mixed treatment import requirements with NZ Biosecurity. Approval has been granted by NZ Biosecurity for mixed treatments using FHA. Advice on market access to Australia. May-Oct01: NZ Biosecurity has granted approval for mixed treatments using FHA in Fiji. Advice on market access to Australia. Commenced dialogue and consultative meetings with representatives from Australian Plant Biosecurity. AFFA has proceeded with the formulation of the Issues paper for Fiji Papaya and West Indian Limes from New Caledonia. Nov01-Apr02: Advised on the issues papers for papaya in Fiji and Tahitian limes in New Caledonia for Biosecurity Australia. PICTs NPPOs are encouraged to continue and maintain constant dialogue with trading partners.
2.6.6 Attachment training on development of quarantine export pathways for Vanuatu	Nov01-Apr02: Training designed to prepare the VQIS and Dept. of Agriculture staff for the new HTFA treatment. The purpose of the training was to train the staff in the development of commodity pathways (systems approach). Similar training was done in November for Samoa.

 

 

Page updated on: 13 November, 2002