Interceptions of Bactrocera dorsalis in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of several isolated findings of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) during the official survey for this pest:
- In July 2019, one male B. dorsalis was found in a trap in an urban area in the municipality of Chevilly-Larue, close to Rungis International Market (500 m) and to Orly airport (Val-de-Marne department, Ile-de-France region). One week later, a second male was caught in the same trap. In August, a third male was caught in another trap, 2 km away (municipality of Vitry-sur-Seine), and a fourth one was caught in the same area (municipality of Thiais). More traps (23 in total) have been installed around the places where catches occurred, and visual inspections are being carried out on host plants. Survey activities were intensified and will continue until at least November. No symptoms in fruit orchards have been observed so far. These isolated findings in urban areas are considered to be linked to the import of exotic fruits and not to an outbreak.
- In October 2019, 4 B. dorsalis males were caught in a trap placed in a peach orchard in Southern France (Saint-Jean-de-Védas, Herault department). Additional traps (20) have been installed in a radius of 7.5 km around the place of catch and visual inspections are being carried out on host plants and fruits in fields and points of sales. In November, one B. dorsalis male was caught in Laverune (2 km away) in a farm growing vegetables and with a few fruit trees. No symptoms or infested fruit have been found in the area so far. Survey activities were further intensified, and phytosanitary treatments were applied where the findings occurred. Due to the localization of these 2 traps, close to a wholesale produce market and to a highway between France and Southern Europe, it is considered that these findings are linked to the import of infested exotic fruits and not to an outbreak.
The pest situation of Bactrocera dorsalis in France can be described as: Absent, intercepted only.
Sources
NPPO of France (2019-07, 2019-09, 2019-10; 2019-11).