Fruit Flies Management in Haïti

Tephritid fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) are economically important in Haiti and significantly constrain mango exports. For years, there has been no effective strategy to manage these pests, except for the use of a hot water-treatment protocol for mango fruits intended for export. However, in 2007, there was a significant shift in fruit fly management. Following the blocking of mango exports from Haiti by the US quarantine authorities, which also established certain requirements for the resumption of mango exports to the US market, the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture initiated a nationwide program for monitoring and controlling fruit flies. This program employs various management tactics that are aimed at minimizing the prevalence of tephritid flies to maintain mango exports. In addition to implementing a countrywide surveillance system that permanently collects data on fruit fly capture and estimates the pest density, very few interventions have been realized directly on mango trees. A study conducted in Southern Haiti revealed that the genus Anastrepha is the primary pest affecting four fruit species, particularly mango trees. Thus, this chapter aims to present and describe the management strategies implemented and experiences realized with partner countries.