Rhagoletis cingulata occurs in the Netherlands, but not R. indifferens
In 2001, an amateur entomologist published the occurrence of Rhagoletis indifferens (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 list) in the Netherlands on Prunus serotina, a naturalized Prunus species in the coastal area in the southwest of the Netherlands (van Aartsen, 2001). Verification of the captured flies by an American expert on Tephritidae made it clear that the insect concerned was not R. indifferens but the closely related species, R. cingulata (EPPO A1 list). As non-European Tephritidae are regulated as quarantine pests by the EU, the Dutch NPPO started a survey in 2003 to check the status of R. cingulata in the Netherlands. The survey was conducted in the natural environment by placing 181 sticky traps in wild P. serotina, P. avium and P. padus plants and 90 traps in cherry orchards (P. avium). A total of 3204 flies of R. cingulata were trapped. Most fruit flies were trapped in the coastal dune area, at some locations with high densities. In cherry orchards, the insect was only found at 3 distant locations, in the central part of the Netherlands, and at low densities. The widespread occurrence of R. cingulata in the natural environment indicates that eradication of this insect is not feasible. R. cingulata should be considered as established in the natural environment in the Netherlands. The origin of the introduction of R. cingulata into the Netherlands remains unknown.
The status of R. cingulata in the Netherlands is declared as follows: Present, widespread in the coastal area.
The status of R. indifferens in the Netherlands is declared as follows: Absent.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands, 2004-07.
van Aartsen, B. (2001) Rhagoletis indifferens, een nieuwe boorvlieg voor de Nederlande fauna (Diptera: Tephritidae). Nederlandse Faunistische Mededelingen, 14, 19-22.