REACT Stakeholder Workshops in South Africa
07 June 2024
In its endeavour to develop strategies to contain invasive pest insects in Europe, the REACT project relies on experience from regions that are already affected by the fruit flies in question. This is why a large part of REACT’s work takes place in South Africa.
Bactrocera dorsalis was declared established in the northern parts of South Africa in 2013 and currently still has a restricted distribution in the country. In South Africa, the pest is present in the north and north-eastern areas and there are areas in the south and west which are free of it. Bactrocera zonata is absent from South Africa. However, its presence of the northern parts of the African continent and Indian Ocean islands presents a direct threat. Bactrocera zonata is therefore of biosecurity concern in South Africa.
In South Africa, REACT partner Citrus Research International (CRI) will be assessing the economic and environmental impacts of fruit fly pests including the invasive B. dorsalis and benefits of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in the management of fruit fly pests.
Stakeholders in the local fruit industries will be consulted via questionnaire surveys, interviews and workshops to obtain information on economic and environmental impacts of fruit fly pests, acceptance of the SIT technology for fruit fly management and the benefits of inclusion of SIT in fruit fly management. A cost and benefit analysis will be carried out on fruit fly management strategies including SIT-based ones.