Country: Mexico

Title: Eradication of the outbreak of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata -Wied) in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico

Contact:
M. C. José Manuel Gutiérres Ruelas. Director de Moscas de la Fruta. SENASICA/DGSV jruelas@senasica.sagarpa.gob.mx

Report: The successful application of the Emergency program against the Mediterranean fruit fly, was coordinated and implemented by the Plant Health Directorate, through the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Unit. The program resulted in 73 days with no captures of adults or immature stages of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly. On December 1st of this year, the period equivalent to three biological cycles of pest freedom was reached, as required by international standards to declare eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche. Some of the actions applied in the Emergency program included, outreach activities: 6,500 leaflets with information on the preventive emergency plan were designed and distributed. Monitoring activities: the number of traps deployed (Jackson, C&C, yellow panel and Phase IV) was immediately increased in the area surrounding the outbreak, bringing the total to 473 additional traps. Fruit sampling: to detect larvae, over 11 ton. of fruit was collected from trees in the urban area. Pest larvae have not been detected. Mechanical control: 14 ton. of fruit from host plants were collected and destroyed. Chemical control: Ten thousand four hundred and fifty litres of GF-120 (Spinosad) was applied as a ground spray to the core area (central km2, protecting 2 132 ha accumulated); also, to strengthen this activity 550 killing traps baited with GF-120 were deployed.
 

Posted Date: Dec. 19, 2005, 9 a.m.