Update on the situation of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy
In Italy, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae – EPPO A1 List) was trapped in 2022 in Campania region (municipalities of Palma Campania and San Gennaro Vesuviano) (EPPO RS 2022/188, RS 2022/211). A demarcated area has been established and official measures are applied. An update of the situation is provided based on the surveys carried out at the end of 2022 and in 2023.
- Campania
In October and November 2022, some specimens were caught in the municipalities of Carbonara di Nola and Pagani. In the laboratory, some adults emerged from fruit collected in Quindici, Palma Campania and Ottaviano.
In 2023, in implementing the national Action Plan, 3293 traps were placed in Campania region (1316 in the infested zone, 1831 in the buffer zone, and 146 in the pest-free area). The first specimens were caught in mid-July. At the end of September, a total of 114 specimens of B. dorsalis had been caught in the infested zone (112 in Palma Campania, 1 in Carbonara di Nola, and 1 in San Gennaro Vesuviano). No fruit that were infested by B. dorsalis were detected. In addition, the city of Palma Campania installed 1000 traps for mass trapping. A communication campaign was conducted to raise public awareness on this pest. Insecticide treatments have been applied, and the prohibition to move host fruits out of the infested zone, remains in force.
- Emilia-Romagna
A specific survey programme has been implemented since 2017. In October 2022, 6 adults suspected to be B. dorsalis were first caught in a pear (Pyrus communis) orchard in the municipality of Imola (province of Bologna). Additional traps were installed within a 500 m radius and 3 males were trapped in a persimmon (Diospyros kaki) orchard and the identification of B. dorsalis was confirmed. Fruits were sampled but none were found to be infested. A demarcated area of 1 km around the trap and a buffer zone of 7.5 km have been established. In 2023, a few specimens were also trapped in 3 locations in the province of Bologna (in a park in Bologna, near Bologna airport, and in an orchard in the municipality of San Giovanni in Persiceto).
In addition, a few specimens were caught in traps in other regions as part of the official survey programme. These are considered as incursions linked to the import of fruit.
- Lombardia
A specific survey programme has been implemented since 2017. In October 2022, two B. dorsalis adults were caught in the municipality of Milano. The trap was located at the Milan Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market. In the same site, 4 adults were caught between August and October 2023.
- Trentino-Alto Adige
A specific survey programme has been implemented since 2019. One adult was trapped in September 2023 in an apple orchard in the municipality of Merano (province of Bolzano) and located near a fruit processing company.
- Veneto
One adult was caught in a trap in October 2023 in a public open-air market in the city centre of Mestre (Venezia province).
The pest status of Bactrocera dorsalis in Italy is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under surveillance, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2023-03, 2023-10, 2024-01).
Piano di emergenza nazionale per Bactrocera dorsalis e Bactrocera zonata (2023-07-26) http://www.agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/files/Piano_Emergenza_Bactrocera_26-07-23.pdf
Misure fitosanitarie d'emergenza per il contrasto di Bactrocera dorsalis in Campania ed Emilia-Romagna. (Ordinanza n. 6). (24A00188) (GU Serie Generale n.20 del 25-01-2024)