Update on the situation of Zaprionus tuberculatus in Brazil
In Brazil, Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera: Drosophilidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) was first found in 2020 in urban parks in Brasília (EPPO RS 2022/096). In 2022 and 2023, it was also recorded in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais states. New host records were also made on fruit species, such as Butia capitata (jelly palm), Eugenia uniflora (pitanga), Psidium cattleyanum (strawberry guava), and Vitis labrusca (fox grape) (EPPO RS 2024/001).
In March 2023, Z. tuberculatus was recorded for the first time in Santa Catarina state in fruits of Acca sellowiana (feijoa), and Psidium cattleyanum (both red and yellow strawberry guavas) collected in the municipalities of Caçador and Videira. This is also the first time that A. sellowiana is recorded as a host of Z. tuberculatus. In these studies conducted from January to April 2023 on different fruit species (A. sellowiana, Campomanesia xanthocarpa, and P. cattleyanum), a total of 3 447 Drosophilidae specimens were collected and included: Z. indianus (24.1%), Drosophila suzukii (4.1%), and Z. tuberculatus (2.3%); the remaining specimens (69.5%) were unidentified drosophilids.
The authors noted that the establishment of Z. tuberculatus in Brazil raises concerns, as it occupies niches similar to those of Z. indianus and D. suzukii, and that their interactions on the same crops could potentially increase damage to fruit production. They concluded that more studies are needed on Z. tuberculatus to assess its impacts and distribution, and establish management programs.
Sources
dos Santos JP, Fiedler M, Menezes-Netto AC, Carissimi Boff MI, Mello Garcia FR (2023) First record of Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Agropecuária Catarinense Journal 36(3), 22–25. https://doi.org/10.52945/rac.v36i3.1755