Update on the distribution of Dacus frontalis, and first report from Islas Canarias (ES)
Dacus frontalis is an important pest of cucurbit fruits in parts of Africa and the Middle East and was recently recorded in North Africa (EPPO RS 2015/137, RS 2024/032).
When preparing a new distribution map for the pumpkin fruit fly D. frontalis (Diptera: Tephritidae, EU A1 Quarantine Pest as Dacus spp.) the EPPO Secretariat came across recent new records, as follows:
- Islas Canarias (Spain)
D. frontalis was first reported in Islas Canarias at the end of 2018 on the island of Lanzarote, in 2019 on the island of Fuerteventura, and later on the island of Gran Canaria. In Tenerife, it was found in August 2023 in several municipalities in the south of the island. It is recorded as causing damage on cucurbit crops such as watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). It is considered that the most likely route of entry was infested fruit. Communicaton campaigns are conducted to inform farmers about this new pest.
- Ghana
D. frontalis is listed in the economically important fruits flies in Ghana (Opoku et al., 2025).
- Mozambique
D. frontalis occurs in Mozambique, in Boane district and Namaacha district (both in Maputo province, southern Mozambique). It is noted as a minor economic pest (De Meyer et al., 2023).
Sources
AgroCabildo (2024) La mosca de la calabaza, Dacus frontalis. identificación y control.16 pp. https://www.agrocabildo.org/publica/Publicaciones/otra_848_Dacus%20frontalis.pdf
De Meyer M, Bota L, Daniel B, Mussumbe M, Vandenbosch M, Canhanga L, Cambula E, Mansell MW, Cugala D, Virgilio M (2023) A checklist of the dacine fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae, Dacinae) of Mozambique. African Entomology 31: e15585. 9 pp. Available from: https://www.africanentomology.com/article/view/15585
Opoku E, Haseeb M, Rodriguez EJ, Steck GJ, Cabral MJ (2025) Economically important fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Ghana and their regulatory pest management. Insects 16(3), 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030285