Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel, 1912) is an invasive species abundant in western Burundi. It is a polyphagous pest species, and is of a specific interest to vegetable and fruit crops of economic importance. However, the development of this fruit fly species is also made possible by non-commercial hosts. In order to show the contribution of Terminalia catappa to the survival of B. dorsalis, a study based on fruit flies incubation was done in Bujumbura city from June to September 2017. B. dorsalis was collected from incubated fruits infested by flies. Fruits were collected in neighbourhoods according to the population and fruit trees density. Results show that neighbourhoods with low population density and high number of fruit trees have higher infestation rates than those with high population density and few number of fruit trees. This study showed that T. catappa contributes significantly to the survival of populations of B. dorsalis in Bujumbura city as the latter uses its fruits as hosts especially in the dry season. T. catappa can be considered as an alternative host plant for B. dorsalis used in the absence of its preferred host plants. The full paper is available here.

This study aimed to make an inventory of fruit fly species in Burundi, by use of parapheromones. The trapping by parapheromones is a method used to capture fruit fly species. Four types of parapheromones were used, namely, methyl eugenol, cuelure, terpinyl acetate and trimedlure. In total, 70,115 individuals were captured, of which, 68,728 individuals (or 98.02%) were fruit flies, while 1,387 individuals (1.98%) were non-fruit flies. The majority of Tephritidae has been captured by methyl eugenol with 62,538 individuals (90.97%), followed by cuelure with 3,621 individuals (5.27%). Terpinyl acetate and trimedlure have captured 1,900 and 669 individuals, respectively. The effectiveness of parapheromones has varied from one locality to another. In fact, methyl eugenol showed efficiency in the city of Bujumbura, Rumonge, Kigwena and Cibitoke located at an altitude between 780 m and 887 m; cuelure in Bubanza and Kayanza at an altitude between 1,101 m and 2,219 m; trimedlure and terpinyl acetate at Mwaro at an altitude of 1,640 m. From the point of view of abundance of species caught, Bactrocera dorsalis dominates with 62,349 individuals (90.72%), and it is in the Bujumbura city that this species has been captured in abundance. The paper is available here.

This study to detect Tuta absoluta was carried out at four sites in western Burundi from March to July 2018. Delta traps containing Tutrack pheromone and sticky paper were installed in tomato fields at 40 cm from the ground. Sample collection was carried out twice a week. The results confirmed the presence of T. absoluta in Burundi. Effective pest control is required to avoid heavy losses on tomato production. To read all the content, click here.

Bactrocera latifrons Hendel is a species of Asian origin. It is a major destructive pest of fruits and vegetables of the family of Solanaceae and, to a lesser extent,Cucurbitaceae. It was detected for the first time in Burundi in 2016, in the province of Kirundo in the north of the country. Since this detection, a study using fruit rearing methodology was conducted in five agro-ecological zones of Burundi from July 2016 to April 2017 to determine the distribution of B. latifrons, and to analyze the infestation rate on African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum). The results of this study revealed that B. latifrons has invaded all the agro-ecological zones of Burundi, and could invade neighboring countries. For reading the full paper, please click here.