Detection of Bactrocera philippinensis in Australia
In Australia, in November 1997, an exotic fruit fly was detected in suburban Darwin, (Northern Australia). The species was initially thought to be Bactrocera papayae, but it was later identified as Bactrocera philippinensis. The distribution of B. philippinensis is essentially limited to Philippines where it has been recorded on Artocarpus (Moraceae), papaya (Caricaceae), Syzygium (Myrtaceae), mango (Anarcardiaceae) and wild fruits belonging to the family Sapotaceae. The insects were collected from methyl-eugenol traps which were part of the national fruit fly trapping program, the first specimen was caught on 19 November 1997. Eradication measures were applied. A quarantine zone of 50 km around the original detection was delimited. Restrictions on the movement of host fruits and vegetables from the quarantine zone were imposed. A programme of male annihilation using methyl eugenol- and malathion-soaked fibre blocks placed on one host tree in each suburban house yard was immediately started. A protein bait spray programme was also applied to host plants in the area where fruit flies had been trapped. In the quarantine area, 82 flies were trapped until 26 December 1997, with no further detection since that date.
Sources
Alwood, A. (1997) New fruit fly incursion in Darwin, Northern Australia Bactrocera philippinensis.
Ag Alert, 15 December 1997, no.18, 2 pp.