American Samoa is a 200 km² U.S. dependency made up of four islands. Population was 63000 in 1999. Fruit fly surveillance in American Samoa was first initiated in 1985, with the assistance from University of Hawaii, but discontinued in 1986. Four species were detected during that period. Short term snap shot trapping in July, 1996 confirmed that the same four species were still present. With the assistance from the Project on Regional Management of Fruit Flies in the Pacific, quarantine surveillance has resumed by setting up permanent trapping sites on the three islands in July, 1998. Fruit fly project activities are jointly executed by the American Samoa Department of Agriculture (Ms. Elisapeta Sualevai) and the American Samoa Community College Land Grant Program (Mr. Lloyd Ali). Trapped fly samples and sampled fruits collected during host fruit surveys are processed and stored in the Land Grant Program entomology laboratory.

For further information, contact:

Elisapeta Sualevai,      Chief Quarantine Officer, Department of Agriculture,
PO Box 930, Pago Pago, American Samoa
Ph: (684): 699-4031                  FAX: (684) 699-4031
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

American Samoa Department of Agriculture website: http://www.government.as/agriculture.htm

FRUIT FLY SPECIES: There are four species: B. xanthodes, B. kirki, B. distincta and the non-economic B. obscura.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FRUIT FLIES: Pacific fruit fly (B. xanthodes) infests 62% of ripe breadfruits.

STATUS OF QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE (as of October, 2007): There are 8 trapping sites, each with one Cue-lure and one methyl eugenol trap, all on Tutuila island. Regularly sampled fruits for research and quarantine surveillance are avocado, banana, breadfruit, guava, mango, papaya, and also noni (Morinda citrifolia). All trapping and host fruit survey data are compiled on Excel spreadsheets. There are fruit fly posters at the airport and the wharf, as well as quarantine bins at the airport. A quarantine awareness program is being developed as television and radio shows and presentation for farmers and students at College of Micronesia.

REFERENCES:
Heimoana, V., Tunupopo, F., Toleafoa, E., Fakanaiki, C. 1997. Fruit fly fauna of Tonga, Western Samoa, American Samoa and Niue. pp. 57-59 in: Allwood, A.J., Drew, R.A.I. 1997. Fruit fly management in the Pacific. ACIAR Proceedings No 76. 267pp.
Sualevai, E., Ali, L. 1998. Fruit fly quarantine surveillance July 13 - August 31, 1998. Joint report by American Samoa Department of Agriculture and American Samoa Community College Land Grant Program. 9pp.
Sualevai, E., Ali, L. 1999. American Samoa. Fruit fly surveillance project. Joint report by American Samoa Department of Agriculture and American Samoa Community College Land Grant Program. 7pp.

Download Pest Advisory Leaflet on Fruit flies in American Samoa in English or in French (951 Kb)