Detection surveys for mango seed and pulp weevils in Sarangani and Davao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines

HORT/2007/210: Detection surveys for mango seed and pulp weevils in Sarangani and Davao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines

Philippines

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Australia

Ms Leonie Wittenberg
Phone: 0740484665
Fax: 0740923593
Email: leonie.wittenberg@dpi.qld.gov.au

• Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippines
• Provincial Agriculture Office, Philippines

$149,929

01/01/2007 - 30/06/2007

Mr Les Baxter

Currently mango exports to major markets in the USA and Australia from Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines (with the exception of the small island of Guimaras) are prohibited, due to uncertainty over the reported presence of mango seed and pulp weevils. Since no effective control methods are available to provide quarantine security (either pre or post harvest), establishing accepted 'area freedom' status is seen as the only way to open export markets. This activity was a six month detection survey for both weevils. Scientists gathered evidence to establish that the weevils were absent from Sarangani Province and conducted low-level monitoring in Davao del Sur to complement internal quarantine measures being funded by that province. The longer-term intention was to provide information to support area freedom certification and thus promote the expansion of export opportunities for mango producers in Mindanao.

The project initiated detection surveys for mango seed and pulp weevils in Sarangani and Davao del Sur on Mindanao, and these were extended to December 31 2007. No evidence of the weevils was found. Another SRA, HORT/2007/032, was commissioned to continue the detection survey in these areas and allowed researchers to access mango fruit from both the Filipino and Australian mango seasons.