Interceptions of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy
Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) was detected for the first time in Southern Italy (Campania region) during an official survey in April 2018 (EPPO RS 2018/215, RS 2019/096). Following this first detection, the Italian NPPO conducted further surveys. In Campania, about 2000 McPhail traps activated with methyl-eugenol have been installed.
- On 3 September 2019, a male B. dorsalis was found in a trap in the municipality of San Gennaro Vesuviano (Naples province) in one trap located in an urban area (school garden).
- On 10 September 2019, a male B. dorsalis was found in a trap in the municipality of Palma Campania (Naples province), and another male in the same municipality, in another trap on 24 September.
- On 2 October 2019, two female specimens of B. dorsalis were caught in the municipality of Palma Campania.
For the 3 male specimens, the morphological identification was confirmed by molecular analysis (DNA sequencing of COI and ITS1), showing that the specimens belong to different mitochondrial haplotypes, as well as to different haplotypes compared to those found in Campania in 2018. For the two female specimens, molecular analyses are still in progress. The isolated findings and the localization of the traps in an urban area suggest a new introduction with infested fruits. It is considered that this finding is not linked to an outbreak. Survey activities have been intensified, increasing the number of traps in the area, as well as checks on fruit in fields and in warehouses.
The pest status of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy is officially declared as: Absent, isolated finding in traps in Campania, intercepted only.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2019-09, 2019-10).