The non-economic B. obscura is common in the Niuas and very rare in the more southern groups of islands. Bactrocera facialis is an extremely damaging pest fruit fly. Established and maintained a fruit fly rearing laboratory and laboratories for holding fruit samples collected in the field and undertaking heat tolerance studies at Vaini Research Station. Established 25 trap sites on six islands of Tonga. Used this data as the basis for negotiations on quarantine protocols for export of fruits and vegetables.
Fleshy vegetables are virtually free from fruit fly infestation.
Modified the initial fauna surveys into an early warning system as part of the Tonga's overall quarantine surveillance system. Trapping focussed on high-risk locations, such as tourist resorts, urban areas, educational institutions for overseas students, markets, farming areas, diplomatic missions and ports of entry. Established laboratory colonies of B. facialis , B. xanthodes and B. kirki reared on papaya-based diet. Completed studies on the life cycles and rates of development of B. facialis and B. xanthodes . Developed a package for field control of fruit flies, based on sound crop hygiene and protein bait sprays.