Update on the situation of Rhagoletis completa in Italy
In 1991, Rhagoletis completa (EU Annex I/A1) was found for the first time in Europe in Ticino (Switzerland) and simultaneously in northern Italy (EPPO RS 516/15, 1991, 93/210). Within two years, R. completa had become very common and injurious to walnut crops in Trentino, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In August and September 1994, the pest is reported as damaging walnut in Viterbo (Lazio). The authors felt that due to the wide distribution of this pest in Italy, its introduction may not be recent.
Sources
Trematerra, P.; Paparatti, B.; Girgenti, P. (1995) [Attention to the presence of walnut moth.]
Informatore Agrario, 51(47), 74-76.
Review of Agricultural Entomology, 85(1), p 93 (769).