Subtropical Fruit Survey – 2024

Please help us by quickly completing this short multiple-select questionnaire.

We are seeking to understand the impact of fruit fly pests including the invasive Bactrocera dorsalis (Bd), Oriental fruit fly, on production of avocado, litchi and mango in South Africa.

This 20-question survey will take at most 10 minutes of your time to complete.

Thank you for your participation in this study. Before you start the survey, please take note of the following:

  1. This survey is intended for adults aged 18 and above
  2. Your responses are anonymous
  3. Your responses will be kept confidential and used solely for research purposes

By participating, you confirm that you are 18 years and above and give consent to participate in the survey.

Section I: Production characteristics

1. In which province(s) do you operate?(Required)
2. What is your role in the industry?(Required)
How many Production Unit Codes (PUCs) do you operate (e.g if you are a consultant or crop protection and you operate across different production units, provide the total number of PUCs)
4. Size of your production units?(Required)
What is the size of your production units, on average?
Provide an estimate on the composition of your production unit. (Dropdown list)
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Avocados
Litchis
Mangoes
Other (e.g Non-subtropical fruit production)
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Provide an estimate on the composition of your production unit for Grapes
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Provide an estimate on the composition of your production unit for Other Fruit
6. Average fruit production volume(Required)
Estimate the average fruit production volume for a full-bearing equivalent hectare on the production unit(s)?

Section II: Pest monitoring and control

Can you rank the importance of insect pests on your production unit(s)? The ranking is from top to Bottom with the Top being the most important to Bottom the least important. The first three rankings are compulsory.
  • Beetle
  • Fruit fly
  • Mealybug
  • Moths
  • Scales
  • Thrips
  • Others
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7a. Can you identify the MOST important insect pests on your production unit(s)?(Required)
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7b. Can you identify the SECOND MOST important insect pests on your production unit(s)?(Required)
Not already selected
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7c. Can you identify the THIRD MOST important insect pests on your production unit(s)?(Required)
Not already selected
8. Percentage damage(Required)
Estimate the percentage damage (including losses on farm and packhouse level) due to fruit flies on the production unit(s)
9. Cost of monitoring pests(Required)
What is the estimated/approximate proportional cost of monitoring and control of pests as a function/share of your direct production costs?
10. Cost of monitoring fruit flies(Required)
What is the estimated/ approximate proportional cost of monitoring and control of fruit flies as a function/share of pest control costs?
11. Impact of fruit fly(Required)
In your opinion, what is the impact of fruit fly control practices on either non pests or beneficial (natural enemies of pests or bees) in the production unit(s)?

Section III: Fruit flies (Medfly and Natal fly)

12. What control methods do you use?(Required)
12.  What control methods do you use for Medfly and other local fruit fly pests e.g Natal fly? (select all applicable)
Can you rank the effectiveness of the fruit fly control methods on the production unit(s)? The ranking is from Top to Bottom with Top being most effective and Bottom being least effective. The first three rankings are compulsory.
  • Bait sprays
  • Bait stations
  • Cover sprays
  • Orchard sanitation
  • Male targeted control (e.g attract and kill such as LastcallFF)
  • Sterile Insect Technique
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13a. Can you indicate the MOST effective fruit fly control method on your production units?(Required)
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13b. Can you indicate the SECOND MOST effective fruit fly control method on your production units?(Required)
Not previously selected.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
13b. Can you indicate the THIRD MOST effective fruit fly control method on your production units?(Required)
Not previously selected.
14. How long do you control fruit flies?(Required)
In a season, for how long do you control fruit flies on the production unit

Section IV: Bactrocera dorsalis (Bd) or Oriental fruit fly

15. Is Bd present in the production unit(s)?(Required)
If Yes, proceed to 16-20; If No, proceed to 18-20
16. Damage to your subtropical fruit?
Has damage to your subtropical fruit increased after the establishment of Bd?
17. Control methods used on the production unit(s)
What control methods are being used on the production unit(s) for Bd? (select all applicable)
18. Would you consider using SIT?(Required)
If Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is developed for Bd, would you consider using it? If Yes, proceed to 19; If No, proceed to 20
19. If Yes, what are the considerations
If yes, what are the main considerations (select all relevant) affecting your decision?
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