First reports of Zaprionus tuberculatus in Italy and in Turkey
In 2013, Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) was caught for the first time in Italy during a survey targeting another drosophilid, Drosophila suzukii (EPPO A2 List). In September and October 2013, 19 specimens were trapped at 2 locations: deciduous woodland located in Vattaro (near Trento) and a public garden in Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige region. Interestingly, Z. tuberculatus has also been found recently in Turkey. In August 2011, several specimens were caught in the city of Adana and its surroundings in urban and suburban environments, as well as in forested rural areas. In a taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical species of Zaprionus, the presence of Z. tuberculatus is also mentioned in Cyprus, Greece and Malta. Z. tuberculatus originates from Africa and its larvae develop on decaying fruits. However, no data is available about the potential risk this species may present for agriculture. It is noted that a closely related species Z. indianus has also been introduced into new parts of the world, and has been recognized as a pest of fig orchards in Central and South America. It is concluded that further field research would be needed to monitor Z. tuberculatus and assess its possible damage to cultivated plants, in particular to soft fruit.
According to the literature, Z. tuberculatus occurs in the following countries:
EPPO region: Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Spain (Islas Canarias only), Turkey.
Africa: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (Democratic republic), Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Saint Helena, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Sources
Raspi A, Grassi A, Benelli G (2014) Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera Drosophilidae) first records from the European mainland. Bulletin of Insectology 67(1), 157-160. (via PestLens https://pestlens.info/public/register.cfm)
Patlar B, Koc B, Yilmaz M, Ozsoy ED (2012) First records of Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Mediterranean Region, Turkey. Drosophila Information Service 95, 94-96.
Yazzin A, David JR (2010) Revision of the Afrotropical species of Zaprionus (Diptera, Drosophilidae), with descriptions of two new species and notes on internal reproductive structures and immature stages. ZooKeys 51, 33-72.