Severe attacks of Rhagoletis completa in Lombardia (IT)
The walnut husk fly, Rhagoletis completa, was first found in Italy in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in 1991 (EPPO RS 93/210). Its presence was then recorded in other parts of north Italy (Lombardia, Piemonte, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto) and also in Lazio (see EPPO RS 94/111 and 97/037). In 1995-1996, studies were made on the behaviour of R. completa in two walnut orchards near Pavia (Lombardia), using yellow traps baited with ammonium carbonate. Large numbers of adults were trapped (more than 200 adults/trap/week), and high infestations on fruits were observed (nearly all fruits were attacked). The flight curve obtained showed that the adults appear during the first decade of July until the beginning of October.
Sources
Romani, M. (1998) [Severe attacks by Rhagoletis completa in walnut orchards in Lombardia.]
Informatore Fitopatologico, no. 11, 13-16.