Incursions of Bactrocera dorsalis in Belgium
The NPPO of Belgium recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of findings of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory.
In August 2023, an adult male was caught in a trap as part of the annual survey in an outdoor public market in the city centre of Antwerp (Province of Antwerp). The pest was identified by morphological and molecular tests. The NPPO considered that the pest most likely escaped from a batch of imported exotic fruits (present at or near the market) but surveys were conducted to verify the presence of B. dorsalis on the territory. Additional traps were installed in the surroundings, and sites producing host plants in the area were inspected. A campaign was conducted to raise awareness of professional operators and citizens.
In September 2023, three adult males were caught: one in a public market in an urban area in the municipality of Anderlecht (province of Brussels), one in an outdoor public market in a semi-urban area in the municipality of Courcelles (province of Hainaut), and one in Antwerp (5 km away from the first finding).
The pest status of Bactrocera dorsalis in Belgium is officially declared as: Absent, isolated post entry findings in traps near points of entry/(exotic) fruit markets, under further surveillance, climate not suitable for establishment.
Sources
NPPO of Belgium (2023-08, 2023-09).