DISPEST_2 Survey in Northern Tanzania (January 2025)

2025-02-05

pic_3 — The surveyed sites (blue flags) spanning from Arusha to Mwanza, including areas around Lake Victoria

As part of the DISPEST_2 project, a joint team from the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) conducted a field survey in Northern Tanzania to monitor key tephritid pests and assess potential Pest-Free Areas (PFAs) for agricultural production.

Between January 21–31, 2025, the team—comprising researchers from SUA and RMCA—deployed and retrieved bucket traps across 26 locations in the Arusha and Mwanza regions, near the borders of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The collected specimens will contribute to the predictive modeling of fruit fly species distributions and support population genomic analyses.

The mango fruit fly (Ceratitis cosyra) captured in a bucket trap baited with an EGO lure — The mango fruit fly (*Ceratitis cosyra*) captured in a bucket trap baited with an EGO lure.

Key Activities & Outcomes

Field Sampling: Traps baited with three different parapheromones (CL, EGO, ME) were deployed in advance, and during the mission, the team retrieved, sorted, and identified collected specimens.
Specimen Collection: Voucher specimens were gathered for further genomic research to be implemented at SUA.
Data Integration: The collected data will enhance existing databases and improve pest distribution models.

pic_4 — Late in the field. Emptying traps with the aid of an electric torch

Training & Capacity Building

The RMCA team provided hands-on training in morphological species identification to Jenipher Tairo, former AGROVEG MSc student, PhD candidate in DISPEST_2, and Happy Leonard, former ISeBAF field assistant, MSc student in DISPEST_2. Both researchers actively contributed to sample identification and will continue collaborating on future research initiatives.

pic_5 — Sample sorting and morphological identification of flies

Project Planning & Future Opportunities

On January 30, 2025, project coordinators (MV, MDM, Ramadani Majubwa, Maulid Mwatawala) held a hybrid meeting with SUA leadership to finalize research topics and student activities and agree on the forthcoming call for applications for PhD scholarships.

Team Building & Collaboration

Recognizing the demanding nature of the survey, the team took a short break on Sunday January 26 with a visit to Saanane National Park (Mwanza). This provided an excellent opportunity for team bonding and collaboration outside the research environment.

We extend our gratitude to all team members and institutional partners for their dedication and contributions to the success of this survey.

Stay tuned for further updates on DISPEST_2 research and training opportunities!

pic_7 — The surveyed area included sites close to the borders with Rwanda…

pic_10 — … and Kenya, with a view of the western slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro (as seen from Takarea)

pic_11 — The ferry journey to retrieve traps placed on Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria

pic_12 — heading back to Mwanza, during the rush hour

pic_15 — An Ankole bull overseeing fruit fly trapping operations