The production of citrus, deciduous and subtropical fruits are usually constrained by local fruit fly pests which either cause direct damage resulting in crop losses or restrict market access as they are classified as a phytosanitary pest. Due to this, it is considered vital to control fruit fly pests before they get out of hand. 

Multiple generations of fruit flies can occur within a year, and environmental factors like temperature affect their development. Fruit flies cause damage to fruit by stinging the fruit to deposit their eggs (Fig. 1) underneath the fruit rind, which hatch into larvae (Fig. 2). The larvae then feed on the fruit pulp leading to decay and secondary infections. Larval development usually lasts for 10-25 days, after which the larvae leave the fruit to pupate in the soil and emerge as an adult fruit fly.

 

The production of citrus, deciduous and subtropical fruits are usually constrained by local fruit fly pests which either cause direct damage resulting in crop losses or restrict market access as they are classified as a phytosanitary pest. Due to this, it is considered vital to control fruit fly pests before they get out of hand. 

Multiple generations of fruit flies can occur within a year, and environmental factors like temperature affect their development. Fruit flies cause damage to fruit by stinging the fruit to deposit their eggs (Fig. 1) underneath the fruit rind, which hatch into larvae (Fig. 2). The larvae then feed on the fruit pulp leading to decay and secondary infections. Larval development usually lasts for 10-25 days, after which the larvae leave the fruit to pupate in the soil and emerge as an adult fruit fly.

 

The puncture caused during ovipositing can cause secondary bacterial infections, both of which cause fruit rot. Export markets have all fruit fly species listed as phytosanitary pests and a single larva could lead to an entire consignment being rejected, which could also affect market access.

The puncture caused during ovipositing can cause secondary bacterial infections, both of which cause fruit rot. Export markets have all fruit fly species listed as phytosanitary pests and a single larva could lead to an entire consignment being rejected, which could also affect market access.

Invader-B-Lok

Invader-B-Lok is a fibre block impregnated with methyl eugenol and mercaptothion (Fig. 5). The methyl eugenol component of the Invader-B-Lok is highly attractive to males of several Bactrocera species. Male fruit flies which are attracted to the methyl eugenol mixture die upon contact with the mercaptothion. The application of Invader-B-Lok follows the principle of the male annihilation technique (MAT), targeting high levels of male mortality for species that respond to methyl eugenol. Eradicating males significantly reduces the amount of mating in the fruit fly population, thereby suppressing the population and lowering fruit infestation.

The efficacy of male annihilation is largely improved when combined with protein baiting, either through sprays or the use of protein bait stations, such as the M3 which targets females.

Invader-B-Lok

Invader-B-Lok is a fibre block impregnated with methyl eugenol and mercaptothion (Fig. 5). The methyl eugenol component of the Invader-B-Lok is highly attractive to males of several Bactrocera species. Male fruit flies which are attracted to the methyl eugenol mixture die upon contact with the mercaptothion. The application of Invader-B-Lok follows the principle of the male annihilation technique (MAT), targeting high levels of male mortality for species that respond to methyl eugenol. Eradicating males significantly reduces the amount of mating in the fruit fly population, thereby suppressing the population and lowering fruit infestation.

The efficacy of male annihilation is largely improved when combined with protein baiting, either through sprays or the use of protein bait stations, such as the M3 which targets females.

M3 BAIT STATIONS

The use of M3 Bait Stations (Fig. 7) has proven to be an effective tool in controlling fruit fly populations in fruit orchards due to its attract-and-kill properties. The M3 Bait Station contains protein hydrolysate & plant extract with alpha-cypermethrin which attracts female fruit flies and kills them upon contact.

The post Phytosanitary Pest Focus: Fruit Flies appeared first on River Bioscience.

RIVER BIOSCIENCE AND ORO AGRI SIGN DISTRIBUTION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR NOVEL NPV BACULOVIRUS BIO-PROTECTION PRODUCT

• The patented product is the solution for effective control of tortricid pests including Cydia pomonella which can cause complete destruction of pome fruits if left unchecked and may result in up to 80%–100% fruit damage
• The first registration will be introduced into Europe and potentially USA, South America, and all countries outside Sub Saharan Africa.
• Cryptophlebia peltastica nucleopolyhedrovirus (CrpeNPV) is a key differentiator product that overcomes all known types of resistance of codling moth resulting from Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGv) based insecticides.

River Bioscience and Oro Agri, a Rovensa company based in Lisbon, Portugal, signed an agreement for the development and exclusive distribution of River Bioscience patented NPV product, effective against economically important tortricids, including codling moth and oriental fruit moth.

As part of the agreement, starting in Europe, River Bioscience will be the notifier of the active substance authorization in Europe and Oro Agri will be responsible for the efficacy studies, implementation, and registration of the formulated product in Europe. For now, the framework agreement covers exclusive distribution in Europe, with a potential to expand to USA, South America and various countries outside Sub-Saharan Africa.

Cryptophlebia peltastica nucleopolyhedrovirus (CrpeNPV) is a proprietary patented product developed and produced by River Bioscience for effective control of tortricid pests including Cydia pomonella (Codling moth) on Pome fruits and walnuts; and Grapholita molesta (Oriental Fruit Moth) in Stone fruits. The codling moth is a serious and extremely destructive pest in apples and pears in almost every country where the fruits are grown. This pest can cause complete destruction of pome fruits if left unchecked and may result in up to 80%–100% fruit damage. Apart from pome fruit, it is also a pest of walnut, quince, and other stone fruits where it causes severe economic losses.

The CrpeNPV overcomes all known types of resistance of codling moth, resulting from CpGv based insecticides, which represents an ideal fit for resistance management programmes with other sustainable crop protection inputs.

Eric van Innis, CEO of Rovensa said, “This agreement with River Bioscience and Oro Agri substantiates Rovensa’s commitment to feeding the planet through sustainable agricultural inputs for a well-balanced agricultural system. With the addition of CrpeNPV, we supplement our existing portfolio and provide a program approach to solve grower pest problems”.

Rob Elfick, MD at River Bioscience, said: “The agreement with Oro Agri and further collaborations with Rovensa creates a fantastic platform to launch River Bioscience as a major player in the baculovirus market. It also illustrates that African-based companies can play a major role in contributing to global agricultural sustainability and assisting the EU with meeting their sustainability targets whilst managing resistance”.

Oro Agri has been working with the development of the patented CrpeNPV baculovirus for the past 2-3 years and found it to be the right tool to supplement its current IPM solutions. The first registration will be introduced in Europe with a low-risk biological profile expected and will be used as a competing or alternate strategy to the CpGV products currently being used in the market. Alternating strain strategies will assist in combatting resistance concerns and ensure consistent efficacy.

Agreements between USA and S. America and various other countries outside Sub-Saharan Africa will follow shortly.

The post RB & ORO AGRI SIGN DISTRIBUTION & DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR NOVEL NPV  appeared first on River Bioscience.

From what we have gathered from our investigation thus far, the breach originated externally from one of our service providers. We are still investigating the extent of the breach and the potential harmful effects thereof.

1. The consequences of the Security Compromise:

There may be a possibility of recipients data being compromised which could involve, but is not limited to, identity theft, fraudulent misrepresentation, sensitive data being accessed by those unauthorised.

2. Measures that RB/XSIT undertakes to address the security compromise:

We have implemented additional firewall security measures designed to prevent future attacks and to protect the personal information and privacy of our customers, suppliers, and relevant operators. Additionally, we have instituted the Incidence Response Committee who will oversee and protect against present and potential data breaches.

3. Recommendation to our Data Subjects to mitigate the effects of the possible misuse of their personal information:

We recommend those affected review or have your I.T. departments review and change your Microsoft login details and otherwise similar passwords to protect yourselves from any potential harm.

We further recommend those affected review their banking card statements and report any suspicious activity to the relevant financial institutions. We deeply regret that this incident occurred and we shall notify you of any significant developments in our ongoing investigation.

We thank you for your understanding and please direct all queries or concerns to our Information Officer, Andre Moolman: andre@riverbio.com

Sincerely,

Andre Moolman

Chief Financial Officer

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Slipping Into Winter

There are a number of initiatives to raise funds for good causes these days and one such event was Slipper Day on 7th of May. For a donation of R20 you got a sticker and were allowed to wear your slippers to work on that day! The administration team in Port Elizabeth decided it would be a good initiative to support to have a little fun and be part of helping those less fortunate to have an opportunity to reach their dream. As can be seen from the picture, a few not only wore their slippers!

Note from the MD

Another year of production at the Citrusdal plant has just finished. The annual deep cleaning of the plant along with repairs and maintenance now kick in over the next two months.

In between all these activities is also the time when the staff get some well earned time off. I wish all those who are getting a break during this time a fantastic rest and remind you to be careful as the COVID-19 numbers seem once again to be on the rise.

This also brings to an end the first season with the new radiation source in place. The positive impact this has had on the size, health and quality of our moths has been fantastic to see.

There is also a large amount of work going on behind the scenes on some key value adding initiatives that will be rolled out in the new SIT season so exciting times lie ahead.

Cheers Rob

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Note from the MD

For most the traditional festive season was anything but traditional. Not being able to freely visit family, relax with friends or even just go to the beach has put strain on everyone during this normal time of fun.

COVID-19 has also been present in our Addo and Port Elizabeth offices for the first time in the last months of 2020 while at the same time a few cases have been experienced in the Citrusdal facility.

For the safety of us all and in the interest of the crucial services we provide to our customers the most impressive revelation out of all of this is however how these cases have been managed and controlled by all involved to prevent significant spread within our organization. Well done to all and stay vigilant. 

Cheers Rob

The two main platforms for commercial SIT moth release are by helicopter or by hand / manual. Hand releases are mainly used where orchards are covered by nets, and we see this increasing all the time, or where the immediate area covered is too small to deploy releases by means of a helicopter.

To date hand releases were done from petri dishes that were used to deliver moths to specific precalculated positions within the orchard.

This method has now been replaced with an improved manual release method designed, manufactured and tested with the assistance of Apex Engineering in Port Elizabeth.

This improved release unit mounts on the front carrier of the quadbike. Not only does this method ensure a continuous release of moths with improved distribution but they are also fitted with a variable speed drive connected to the rear axle of the quad bike allowing for an adjustment in moth quantity  being delivered to match the variation in the speed of the quad.  A total of 12 units have been deployed covering all areas and excellent results have been obtained thus far.

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Understanding what we are part of!

 

In the most recent season the Citrus Growers of Southern Africa have exported around 2 million tonnes of citrus to many destinations around the world.

Our two companies support this with our products and services and can be very proud to be part of this achievement.

How much is 2 million tonnes of Citrus though?? It is hard to imagine.

To illustrate this amount of Citrus lets explore some perspective to the volume.

The two million tonnes of citrus relates to 9.6 billion pieces of fruit.

If these 9.6 billion pieces of fruit were placed on the ground shoulder to shoulder, it would cover an area the equivalent of over 7 500 football fields.

If the 133 million cartons were stacked on top of each other, it would reach a height of 36 000 Km, equivalent to over 4 000 Mount Everest’s stacked on top of each other.

If this fruit were strung out in a single line, shoulder to shoulder, it would cover a distance of 720 000 Km

       – which would circle the earth almost 18 times, or                   – reach the moon and back almost twice.

If the 133 million cartons were packed on the ground next to each other it would cover an area of 16 square kilometres

      – 3 times the size of Robben Island,                                            – 8 times the size of the Principality of Monaco and               – be the third smallest country in the world by land mass.

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