New findings of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy
Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) was detected for the first time in Southern Italy (Salerno and Napoli provinces, Campania region) during an official survey in April 2018 (EPPO RS 2018/215, RS 2019/096). Official monitoring has been conducted since, but only a few specimens have been trapped in the following years. These findings were not considered as outbreaks but as incursions associated with fruit import.
In 2022, 90 traps were installed in Campania region. In mid-June 2022, a male B. dorsalis was caught in a trap located in a citrus garden in Palma Campania (Napoli province), in an urban area. Fruit sampling did not reveal any infested fruit in the garden and no larva were found. Additional traps were placed in the area. In August 2022, further adults of B. dorsalis were caught (15 males and 3 females in total) in traps placed at a maximum 1.6 km from the trap where the first male had been caught in June. In the first 15 days of September 2022, 166 adults (males) were caught in 28 traps activated with methyl eugenol and torula, all in the municipality of Palma Campania, except one, in San Gennaro Vesuviano, which is very close. The number of traps in Campania has been increased to 148 of which 64 are on the territory of Palma Campania. Official measures have been taken (harvesting and destruction of fruits, prohibition of fruit movement from sites where catches occurred, phytosanitary treatments, intensification of survey) and a demarcated area will be established. In agreement with the National Phytosanitary Committee, the Emergency Plan and Action Plan for B. dorsalis are being updated.
The origin of these findings is not known but it is noted that a large proportion of the population in the area originates in Asia, and it is considered that findings may be related to infested fruits brought back by travellers.
The pest status of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2022-09).
Internet
Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale. Campania. Bactrocera dorsalis – mosca orientale della frutta. http://agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/bactrocera.html#:~:text=Una%20mosca%20della%20frutta%20invasiva,province%20di%20Napoli%20e%20Salerno