Eradication of Bactrocera carambolae in Guyana
Bactrocera carambolae (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) originates from south-east Asia and has been introduced into French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname probably in the 1970s (see EPPO RS 96/063). In March 1996, B. carambolae was found in Brazil, at Oiapoque, near the border with French Guiana. In 1998, 3 outbreaks were detected in the State of Amapá, one of them was found at 600 km south of Oiapoque at Macapá (capital of Amapá State). A few months later these populations were eradicated.
In 1988, a regional programme for the eradication of B. carambolae in South America was initiated. This programme included surveys to determine the extent of infestations, and eradication treatments (male annihilation and protein bait techniques). In Guyana, as a result of this eradication programme, no B. carambolae has been trapped nor emerged from collected fruits since May 1998. Guyana now considers that eradication has been successful and that its territory is free from B. carambolae. The nearest infested area is near Paramaribo in Suriname (250 km way from the border of Guyana). In Guyana, post-eradication activities are taking place. The trapping system which was put in place for the eradication programme continues, inspections of consignments and passengers at the main points of entry are being carried out, and public information about the risks are being made. The situation of B. carambolae in Guyana can be described as follows: Absent, eradicated.
Sources
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Status of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana as country free of Bactrocera carambolae, Carambola Fruit Fly. Carambola Fruit Fly Programme in Northern of South America, IICA, Georgetown, Guyana, October 2000, 22 pp.
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