Bactrocera invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae)
A new fruit fly species

Why: Since 2003, a new fruit fly species, morphologically very similar to B. dorsalis, has been reported spreading rapidly in central Africa. This new pest is attacking mangoes, citrus and other tropical fruits. It was recently described and called Bactrocera invadens (Drew et al., 2005). Its finding in Sri Lanka confirmed its suspected Asian origin.

Where:
Africa: Benin (first found 2004-06), Cameroon (2004-07), Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana (2005-01), Kenya (2003-02), Nigeria (2005-01), Senegal (2004-10), Sudan (2004-05), Tanzania (2003-12), Togo (2004-10), Uganda (2004-07). Its first place of discovery (i.e. Kenya) should not be assumed to be its point of entry into Africa, as it may have been overlooked in some areas.
Asia: Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka. B. invadens has been found in a collection of Dacini trapped during earlier surveys, so there was no indication of host plants or associated damage.

View a distribution map

On which plants: Especially mango (Mangifera indica), but B. invadens is also found on guava (Psidiumguajava), Citrus spp., papaya (Carica papaya), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and some other wild African hosts (e.g. Strychnos spp.). Further studies are needed on the host range of this fruit fly, but it can be expected to attack a wide range of fruit crops.

Damage: In the preliminary findings in Kenya and Tanzania, it appeared clearly that mangoes were readily attacked by B. invadens and that it was competing strongly with Ceratitis cosyra. In infested mango samples, it was equally or even more abundant. However, as observations made are very recent, data is lacking on extent and severity of damage to the crops concerned. Considering its similarities with B. dorsalis, significant economic damage is expected.

Dissemination: Adults can fly but there is no data on their flying capacity. Trade of infested fruit can spread the pest. For the moment, there is no assumption on the pathway of introduction of B. invadens from Asia to Africa.

Pathway: Fruits of B. invadens host plants.

Possible risks: Although data is lacking on the biology of B. invadens and in particular on its potential to survive in more temperate regions, the recent example of B. zonata spreading in some countries around the Mediterranean Basin strongly advocates a cautious approach. In addition, citrus and tomatoes are mentioned as host plants and therefore could be immediately at risk in the EPPO region. The rapidity of spread and the probable large host range add to the risk. Control measures are probably available (e.g. male annihilation technique etc.) but for the moment, their efficacy is not known. It is desirable to prevent the introduction of such a new fruit fly species into the EPPO region.

Source(s)
Drew RAI, Romig MC, Dorji C (2007) Records of Dacine fruit flies and new species of Dacus (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Bhutan. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55(1), 1-21. http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/55/55rbz1-21.pdf
Drew RAI, Tsuruta K, White IM (2005) A new species of pest fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) from Sri Lanka and Africa. African Entomology 13(1), 149-154.
Lux SA, Copeland RS, White IM, Manrakhan A, Billah MK(2003) A new invasive fruit fly species from the Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) group detected in East Africa. Insect Science and its Application, 23(4), 355-361.
Mwatawala MW, White IM, Maerere AP, Senkondo FJ, Meyer M de (2004) A new invasive Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Tanzania. African Entomology, 12(1), 154-156.
Sithanantham S, Selvaraj P, Boopathi T (2006) The fruit fly Bactrocera invadens (Tephritidae: Diptera) new to India. Pestology 33(9), 36-37.
INTERNET
Conseil Phytosanitaire Inter Africain. Présence au Bénin d’une nouvelle espèce exotique de mouche des fruits (Diptera: Tephritidae). http://www.au-appo.org/fr/breve.php3?id_breve=11
IAEA website. Scientific and Technical Newsletter. Insect Pest Control Newsletter. The new invasive Bactrocera species. Insect Pest Control Newsletter, no.65, 18-20. http://www.iaea.org/programmes/nafa/d4/public/ipc-nl-65.pdf
NAPPO Phytosanitary Alert System. Pest Alert (2007-09-06). Update on the distribution of Bactrocera invadens – First find in Bhutan. http://www.pestalert.org/viewNewsAlert.cfm?naid=48
Invasive Fruit Fly Pests in Africa. A diagnostic tool and information reference for the four Asian species of fruit fly (Diptera, Tephritidae) that have become accidentally established as pests in Africa, including the Indian Ocean Islands, by Marc De Meyer, Salah Mohamed and Ian M. White. http://www.africamuseum.be/fruitfly/AfroAsia.htm
‘Programme Régional de Protection des Végétaux dans l’Océan Indien’website - Bactrocera invadens aux Comores. http://www.prpv.org/index.php/fr/layout/set/print/content/view/full/995

EPPO RS 2005/085, 2006/146, 2007/150, 2007/216

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