Horticultural sector presents many opportunities for economic development and improving livelihood of growers but several factors constrain production and limit the potential for trade of fruits and vegetables. Tephritid fruit flies constitute a major constraint. They cause enormous losses through direct feeding damage and loss of market opportunities through imposition of quarantine restrictions by importing countries to prevent entry and their establishment. In Africa, several native (Ceratitis and Dacus spp) and exotic (Bactrocera and Zeugodacus spp.) species inflict considerable losses to horticulture causing losses ranging from 30-90%. Over the past 10 years of R&D, extensive information has been generated on bioecology and management of several native and exotic fruit flies in Africa. While several specific reviews have addressed various aspects of the biology, ecology and management of economically important tephritid fruit flies; coverage of African native species has been limited largely to Bactrocera oleae and Ceratitis capitata – which are not economically important species in many Africa countries. Indeed, no book exist that have explicitly addressed economically important African fruit flies and none of the various reviews, have specifically focused on the status of the bioecology, economic impact and management of exotic and native fruit flies – including several potentially invasive Dacus species attacking vegetables - in Africa. This book consolidates this status of knowledge and socio-economic impact of various intervention techniques that are currently being applied across Africa. The timing of the book is especially pertinent due to the changing fruit fly landscape in Africa – caused by arrivals of the highly destructive alien invasives (Bactrocera dorsalis, B. zonata, and B. latifrons) - and the priorities African countries have placed recently on export of fruits and vegetables to international markets. This is an important reference material for researchers, academics and students that are keen at improving horticulture and enhancing food and nutrition security in Africa and beyond.

Throughout Asia, Australia and the Pacific, and increasingly in Africa, the primary horticultural insect pests are fruit flies belonging to the genera Bactrocera, Zeugodacus and Dacus (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacini). The Dacini is a hugely diverse clade of nearly 900 species endemic to the rainforests of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific, and the savannas and woodlands of Africa. All these species lay their eggs into fleshy fruits and vegetables, where the maggots feed, therefore destroying the fruit. In addition to being crop pests, dacines are also invasive pests of major quarantine importance and their presence in production areas can significantly impact market access opportunities. This broad text provides a rapid introduction to this economically and ecologically important group, which includes species such as the Oriental fruit fly (B. dorsalis), Melon fly (Z. cucurbitae), Queensland fruit fly (B. tryoni) and the Olive fly (B. oleae). Broken into three primary sections, it first explores the evolutionary history, systematic relationships, taxonomy and species-level diagnosis of the Dacini flies. The following biology section covers their life history, population demography, behaviour and ecology, and natural enemies. The final section of the book covers the management of these flies, with chapters on pre-harvest, post-harvest and regulatory controls. Each chapter concludes with a list of key monographs, papers or book chapters for further reading. This book will be of interest to field entomologists, extension officers, quarantine officers and market access negotiators, as well as students of applied entomology and pest management.

Fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) pests have a profound impact on horticultural production and economy of many countries. It is fundamental to understand their biology and evaluate methods for their suppression, containment, or eradication. Area-Wide Management of Fruit Fly Pests comprises contributions from scientists from around the world on several species of tephritids working on diverse subjects with a focus on area-wide management of these pests. The first three sections of the book explore aspects of the biology, ecology, physiology, behavior, taxonomy, and morphology of fruit flies. The next two sections provide evidence on the efficacy of attractants, risk assessment, quarantine, and post-harvest control methods. The fifth and sixth sections examine biological control methods such as the Sterile Insect Technique and the use of natural enemies of fruit flies. The seventh section focuses on area-wide integrated pest management and action programs. Finally, the eighth section examines social, economic, and policy issues of action programs aimed at involving the wider community in the control of these pests and facilitate the development of control programs. Features: Presents information on the biology of tephritid flies. Provides knowledge on the use of natural enemies of fruit flies for their biological control. Includes research results on models and diets used for the Sterile Insect Technique. Reports developments on the chemical ecology of fruit flies that contribute to make control methods more specific and efficient. Reviews subjects such as Holistic Pest Management and Area-Wide Management Programs including social, economic, and policy issues in various countries. The Open Access version of this book, available at https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429355738, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Invasive species, generally, affect economically important crops, thus affecting the livelihoods of millions of people along crop value chains. Typically, invasive species have high migratory capabilities and, because of plant material exchanges made during trade, they cannot be contained by one country. Usually, African countries react after a pest has invaded and established itself in the country, making the cost of mitigating the pest even more expensive. This book presents a pan-African view of the impacts of invasive insect pests on agriculture and of how invasive species impact on productivity in Africa. It not only describes their importance, but also presents a diversity of research findings in the field, ranging from the use of early warning and monitoring systems for quarantine purposes, agricultural extension, all the way to control strategies. The IPM arsenal presented in this book includes the use of botanical bioactive compounds, semiochemicals, resistant varieties, biological control agents such as entomopathogens, endophytes, predators, and natural enemies. Aspects of technology transfer strategies, regional coordination, and farmers’ perceptions have not been overlooked, because these affect the adoption of mitigation strategies. The book also presents measures that would help agricultural research services to estimate the damage and take actions for preparedness and readiness to face invasive insect pests. This starts with a basic knowledge of taxonomy to enable concerned persons to describe the insects and the vast inventory of affected crops. Physiological and ecological aspects of invasive pests are strongly highlighted to strengthen Integrated Pest Management Strategies. The threat of invasive species will remain permanent; therefore, the book encourages knowledge exchange and collaboration between researchers and scientists on the continent, while encouraging the establishment of a platform or a fund for preparedness and rapid response.

Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target species, air, water and soil. The extensive reliance on insecticide use reduces biodiversity, contributes to pollinator decline, destroys habitat, and threatens endangered species. This book offers a more effective application of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, on an area-wide (AW) or population-wide (AW-IPM) basis, which aims at the management of the total population of a pest, involving a coordinated effort over often larger areas. For major livestock pests, vectors of human diseases and pests of high-value crops with low pest tolerance, there are compelling economic reasons for participating in AW-IPM. This new textbook attempts to address various fundamental components of AW-IPM, e.g. the importance of relevant problem-solving research, the need for planning and essential baseline data collection, the significance of integrating adequate tools for appropriate control strategies, and the value of pilot trials, etc. With chapters authored by 184 experts from more than 31 countries, the book includes many technical advances in the areas of genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, resistance management, and social sciences that facilitate the planning and implementing of area-wide strategies. The book is essential reading for the academic and applied research community as well as national and regional government plant and human/animal health authorities with responsibility for protecting plant and human/animal health.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an exquisite, nutritionally and economically valuable crop of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It outshines other tropical fruits in productivity, hardiness, adaptability, nutritional value, and ensures higher economic returns to growers. Guava is commercially grown in over 70 countries, and is gaining in popularity as a 'super fruit' due to its nutritional and health benefits. With contributions from international experts, this is a valuable resource for researchers and students in horticulture, and guava-industry support personnel.