Local fruit fly under inspection

fruit flyWith the assistance of the United States Department of Agriculture, CARDI, the St. Lucia Ministry of Agriculture and the Technical Working Group of the Caribbean Plant Health Directors Forum, Plant Protection Specialist, Hannah Romaine, is assisting the Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Unit in finding out what is going on with the fruit fly in Dominica.

“We realize that the fruit fly is a major pest in the region but specifically in Dominica. The situation is totally different. We have seen that fruit flies are affecting mangoes in Dominica whereas in other countries, this is not so,” Romaine said. “So we are here to find out what really brings about this difference in infestation. We’ll be conducting studies to find out the morphological differences that exist with fruit flies in Dominica and St. Lucia and other countries where that situation is different.”

She says the team will rear fruit flies to adult stage.

Molecular research on the flies is expected to produce results as to why the fruit flies in Dominica are so unique.

She says conditions may exist in Dominica that could account for the behaviour of local fruit flies. Romaine listed elevation and rainfall patterns.”

According to Romaine, control of these flies will lead to the improvement of the mango export industry.

“We know that the Julie [grafted] mango is an exported crop and the flies reduce the crop’s potential for export,” she noted. “We know that the adults lay the eggs in the fruit and the larvae feeds on the fruit making the fruit mushy and it cannot be consumed. It is not marketable. Because of this high unmarketable yield that we see in the mangoes, we realise that it is a problem which we need to address.”

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7 Comments

  1. year after year they bring in persons to do research on fruit flies …….. and after it just dies their ………… if you want the trust ask CARDI AND PPQ…

  2. CAPTCHA still?
    June 27, 2016

    The fruits make their own flies. So consume (eat) them early before fermentation. Need I tell you all that? Toneh!!!

  3. Willie
    June 27, 2016

    Huge quantities of mangoes remain unharnessed under the trees. Is this not likely to be a major
    Factor in the proliferation of the problem?

  4. June 27, 2016

    These fruit flies are dangerous. Something must be done,to much grass around homes,dry leaves should be burnt in order to keep them away and prevent them from breeding ,,these flies are capable of spoiling fruits especially ripe fruits over one night period after they are picked..i see it as a pest and something should be done in order to get rid of them..

  5. hmmm
    June 27, 2016

    DNO! please do some research before posting articles since this medium serves to educate and inform the public. What does a fruit fly look like? Please get a clear picture so that the public sees and knows what a fruitfly looks like. better yet the one which occurs in dominica is Anastrepha obliqua, get that one!

    ADMIN: The by-line says GIS News.

    • icho
      June 27, 2016

      HMMM…….seeing that you are already on a computer please, just do your own research.

    • Face the Facts
      June 27, 2016

      Fruit flies are extremely small – tiny. They could also be found in homes and obviously fly around. When fruits are brought in especially if they are ripe, they should be covered with some sort of gauze (mesh) covering. Once they are overripe, for whatever reason, fruit flies are noticeable. Disgusting little things which could permeate the home and be a nuisance; even sting/bite.
      This reminds me, a few years ago, in summer Toronto was infested with them. There was a garbage strike at that time and it produced numerous fruit flies and entered some homes. Thank God it was not in the area where I reside.
      Google it and you will get additional information on how to avoid them and get rid of them. It is worth knowing.

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