First record of Rhagoletis cingulata in Lithuania
Rhagoletis cingulata (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A2 List) is native to Eastern North America and has been introduced into the EPPO region. It was first found in Switzerland (Ticino), in 1983, and then gradually spread to other Western European countries. However, its spread remained rather unnoticed as it was confused with R. indifferens until the early 2000s. A survey was conducted in Lithuania to assess the presence of R. cingulata. This species was first detected in Prunus serotina fruits collected in the Puvočiai village (Varėna municipality, Alytus county, South-Eastern Lithuania). The identity of the pest was confirmed by molecular analysis. Pupae of R. cingulata were further found in the same location in 2020 and 2021, which confirms the establishment of the species in this site. This is the most northerly site of establishment in Europe. Specimens were also found in three additional sites (out of 12 sites surveyed) in Lithuania: Vilnius, Jonava, and Kapčiamiestis.
The situation of Rhagoletis cingulata in Lithuania can be described as: Present: not widely distributed and not under official control.
Sources
Wolfe TM, Hembach S, Petrašiūnas A, Juzėnas S, Stauffer C, Schuler H (2022) First report of the American eastern cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Lithuania. BioInvasions Records 11 (in press). https://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2022/Accepted.aspx