Review of surveillance systems for tephritid fruit fly threats in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States

Authors: KEAN, JOHN - Agresearch; Manoukis, Nicholas; DOMINIAK, BERNIE - Nsw Department Of Primary Industries

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/4/2023
Publication Date: 12/23/2023
Citation: Kean, J.M., Manoukis, N., Dominiak, B.C. 2023. Review of surveillance systems for tephritid fruit fly threats in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Journal of Economic Entomology. 117(1):8-23. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad228.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad228

Interpretive Summary: In this review the surveillance systems against invasive tephritid fruit flies of three nations in the Pacific region are reviewed: Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. Fruit flies are pests of economic concern, so best practices in terms of trapping are desirable, but situations vary across the three states reviewed. Despite variation in approaches, international trade in fruit continues with the assurance that fruit fly surveillance practices continue to be customized and improved according to each country’s situation.

Technical Abstract: All countries that trade in fruit have concerns regarding endemic and exotic fruit flies. Many conduct fruit fly surveillance but, while there are guidelines, practices vary widely. This review of some countries in the Pacific region demonstrates the diversity of fruit fly surveillance practices. All utilise three parapheromones - trimedlure, cuelure and methyl eugenol - to trap adult male fruit flies. However, but some target species are not attracted to these compounds so other attractants such as food-based lures are used in certain areas or circumstances. Lure loading and replacement cycles depend on the target species and the local climate. Malathion and DDVP are commonly used toxicants, but not in all countries, and other toxicants are being developed to replace these older generation pesticides. Jackson and Lynfield are commonly used trap designs but newer designs such as cone and Biotraps are being developed. The choice of trap, lure, dispenser, toxicant and bait concentration may be affected by local factors such as chemical registrations and climate. These choices affect the efficacy of traps, in turn influencing optimal trap deployment in space and time. Most states now follow similar practices around trap inspection, servicing and data handling, but these processes will be disrupted by emerging automated trap technologies. Ultimately, different practices can be traced back to the unique fruit fly risk profiles faced by each state, particularly the suite of fruit flies already present and those that threaten from nearby. Despite the diversity of approaches, international trade in fruit continues with the assurance that fruit fly surveillance practices continue to be customised and improved according to each country’s risk profile and incursion experience.