Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy: more details
As reported in EPPO RS 2018/215, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) was detected for the first time in Southern Italy (Campania region) during an official survey.
A paper from Nugnes et al. (2018) provides additional details about the survey and the detection of B. dorsalis. In April and May 2018, 10 traps baited with methyl-eugenol were placed in 10 trapping locations in Campania (covering all provinces). All sites were chosen for their high variety of cultivated fruit (e.g. Citrus, Diospyros kaki, Malus domestica, Prunus, Pyrus, Vitis), to ensure the presence of ripe fruit throughout the monitoring period. Traps were checked until October 2018, and fruits showing signs of infestation by fruit flies were sampled every month. During the period from the 10th to the 30th of September 2018, 7 male specimens of B. dorsalis were caught in methyl-eugenol traps in 2 sites: 6 specimens in Nocera Inferiore (province of Salerno), and 1 specimen in Palma Campania (province of Napoli). These specimens were tentatively identified as B. dorsalis on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Molecular studies showed some differences between them, but concluded that all belonged to the B. dorsalis complex. Infested fruit collected during the survey were exclusively infested by Ceratitis capitata (EPPO A2 List), and not by B. dorsalis.
Following this first detection, the Italian NPPO conducted further surveys. The number of traps placed in the fields and in warehouses was increased, and a specific survey was initiated in the affected area. Demarcated areas with a 8 km radius were delimited around the two detection sites and official measures were taken to avoid any further spread. As of January 2019, no further specimens of B. dorsalis were caught in traps, nor found in fruit or soil samples.
The pest status of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy is officially declared as: Transient, isolated finding in two traps. No other detection during the subsequent specific survey. Actionable, under eradication.
Sources
INTERNET
Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale. Bactrocera dorsalis, mosca orientale della frutta. http://www.agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/bactrocera.html
NPPO of Italy (2019-01).
Nugnes F, Russo E, Viggiani G, Bernardo U (2018) First record of an invasive fruit fly belonging to Bactrocera dorsalis complex (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Europe. Insects 9, 182. doi:10.3390/insects9040182