Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae): addition to the EPPO Alert List
Why: Bactrocera latifrons was identified in the EPPO study on pest risks associated with the import of tomato fruit as possibly presenting a risk for the EPPO region. This fruit fly species was later selected as a priority for PRA by the EPPO Panel on Phytosanitary measures. An EPPO Expert Working Group will meet in December 2015 to conduct PRAs on several tomato pests, including B. latifrons.
Where: B. latifrons originates from Asia but its range has expanded through introductions into Africa (Kenya and Tanzania, first found in 2007 and 2006 respectively) and the islands of Hawaii (US, first found in Honolulu in 1983) and Yonaguni (Okinawa prefecture, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, first found in 1984).
EPPO region: absent.
Africa: Kenya, Tanzania.
Asia: Brunei Darussalam, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Xianggang (Hong Kong), Yunnan), India (Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal), Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sulawesi), Japan (Ryukyu), Laos, Malaysia (Sabah, West), Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
North America: USA (Hawaii only). Isolated outbreaks have been reported occasionally from California, but have been eradicated.
On which plants: B. latifrons is a pest of fruit and vegetable species, mainly belonging to Solanaceae and to a lesser extent to Cucurbitaceae, such as: Capsicum annuum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, Physalis peruviana, Solanum aethiopicum, S. lycopersicum, S. melongena, S. torvum - Cucumis sativus, C. melo, Cucurbita maxima, Citrullus lanatus, Lagenaria siceraria, Momordica charantia. A recent review has also identified more than 50 plant species (in 14 plant families) on which field infestations by B. latifrons have been recorded (e.g. Citrus aurantifolia (Rutaceae), Dimocarpus longan (Sapindaceae), Passiflora foetida (Passifloraceae), Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Punica granatum (Lytraceae)).
Damage: similar to other tephritid fruit flies, damage is caused by larvae feeding inside the fruits. Attacked fruits usually fall prematurely and rot. Eggs are laid under the fruit skin and hatch within a few days (2-3 days) and the larvae feed during approximately a week. Pupation takes place in soil (approximately 10 days). Adults occur throughout the year, females begin oviposition after 6-17 days, and continue laying eggs for 6-117 days.
Dissemination: adult flight is the main means of natural spread. No data is specifically given for flying distances of B. latifrons, but several Bactrocera spp. have been reported to fly 50-100 km. Over long distances, movement and trade of fruit and vegetables can transport the pest. In the EPPO region, B. latifrons has been intercepted several times in imported fruits and vegetables from Asia, thus showing that the pest has pathways to enter the region.
Pathway: fruits and vegetables of host plants, soil, from countries where B. latifrons occurs.
Possible risks: some of the major host plants of B. latifrons, such as tomato, aubergine, sweet pepper, cucumber, melons and other cucurbits are widely grown in the EPPO region, in both field and protected conditions. Economic damage has been reported from countries where B. latifrons occurs. According to the EPPO study on pest risks associated with the import of tomato fruit, the climatic similarity between the area where B. latifrons occurs and the EPPO region is medium. Although more data would be needed, it seems that B. latifrons has the potential to establish, at least in some parts of the EPPO region which remain to be better defined. As experience has shown that control and eradication of fruit flies is complex and costly, the introduction of B. latifrons in the EPPO region should be avoided.
EPPO RS 2015/187
Panel review date - Entry date 2015-10
Sources
Akhila MU, Jiji T (2015) Record of solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting solanaceous vegetables in Kerala. Current Biotica 9(1), 78-81.
EPPO (2015) EPPO Study on Pest Risks Associated with the Import of Tomato Fruit. EPPO Technical Document No. 1068. Available at http://www.eppo.int
INTERNET
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium. Bactrocera latifrons (Solanum fruit fly) http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/8719
- De Meyer M, Mohamed S, White IM (2012) Invasive fruit fly pests in Africa. A diagnostic tool and information reference for the four Asian species of fruit fly (Diptera, Tephritidae) that have become accidentally established as pests in Africa, including the Indian Ocean Islands. http://www.africamuseum.be/fruitfly/AfroAsia.htm
- Hawaii Edu (2005) Database of pests and crops – tomato. http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/crops/tomato.htm.
McQuate GT, Liquido NJ (2013) Annotated world bibliography of host fruits of Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Insecta Mundi 0289, 61 pp. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/792/
Mziray HA, Makundi RH, Mwatawala M, Maerere A, De Meyer M (2010) Host use of Bactrocera latifrons, a new invasive tephritid species in Tanzania. Journal of Economic Entomology 103(1), 70-76.