Update on the situation of Bactrocera dorsalis in France
In France Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) is regularly caught in traps as part of the official survey for fruit flies near points of entry but is not considered established (EPPO RS 2019/227, RS 2021/194, RS 2022/189, RS 2023/038).
As no other specimens were caught during surveillance implemented following the findings in 2022 in Alsace, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Ile-de-France regions (EPPO RS 2023/038), the NPPO considers that these earlier findings of the pest were probably due to the entry of infested exotic fruits, and were not outbreaks.
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of several isolated findings:
- In Var department (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region): 2 adults (male) of B. dorsalis were caught in two different traps in two municipalities in October 2022, as well as 1 adult in October 2023. All traps were in agricultural sites but located near facilities handling fresh fruit and vegetables. Further inspection and additional trapping did not detect further specimens.
- In Alpes-Maritimes department (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region): in October 2023, 1 adult was caught in the city of Cannes in a peach orchard, as well as 3 adults in a Citrus x clementina orchard in another municipality. Reinforced surveillance is being conducted in 2024.
The pest status of Bactrocera dorsalis. in France is officially declared as: Transient, isolated findings in traps near points of entry, not linked to an outbreak.
Sources
NPPO of France (2024-07).