ABSTRACT
The great extension of the territory of the Argentine Republic and its extensive latitudinal development provide adequate agroclimatic conditions for the production of a wide diversity of fruits of excellent quality recognized worldwide. In this sense, fruit flies (Tephritidae) are considered one of the pests of the greatest economic importance for fruit and vegetable production in the country. With the aim of reducing this socioeconomic impact, the National Fruit Fly Control and Eradication Program (Procem) has been implemented since 1994, under the leadership of SENASA, with the vision of integrating and strengthening provincial actions for the control of the species present in the country: Ceratitis capitata Wied. and Anastrepha fraterculus Wied. Procem’s strategic plan is made up of a permanent surveillance system based on trapping and fruit sampling; a control component based on area-wide integrated pest management, including cultural–mechanical, chemical and biological control tools (including the sterile insect technique under the Chilled Adult release modality), and quarantine actions and strategic communication campaigns aimed at different target audiences. As a result of the actions implemented over these years, the joint work based on a public–private management model and the strategic alliances that strengthen governance, different phytosanitary conditions have been achieved in relation to the pest (free areas, low prevalence and under suppression), as well as promoting the production and competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector, accessing markets with quarantine restrictions through the recognition of pest-free areas and contributing significantly to the development of regional economies.
