First Record of an Invasive Fruit Fly Belonging to Bactrocera dorsalis Complex (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Europe

Abstract

Emerging pests are increasingly threatening fruit orchard health across the Mediterranean area. Tephritidae, representing serious threats for Europe, are numerous, and the fruit flies <i>Bactrocera zonata</i> and those belonging to <i>Bactrocera dorsalis</i> complex are among the most alarming species. These species are highly polyphagous and <i>B. zonata</i> has already spread to some Mediterranean countries. Due to these ongoing threats, in the Campania Region (southern Italy), a survey with traps and infested fruits analysis was performed with the aim of detecting the presence of species of <i>Bactrocera dorsalis</i> complex. In two mixed fruit-trees fields, some adults belonging to a species of <i>Bactrocera</i> were captured in traps baited with the highly attractive male lure (methyl eugenol). They were distinguished from similar-looking <i>Bactrocera</i> spp. by morphological and molecular comparative analyses. Considering the existing morphological keys, specimens were tentatively identified as <i>B. dorsalis</i> but molecular characterization with COI split them into two clades. Some specimens were grouped with <i>B. dorsalis</i> similar to <i>B. kandiensis</i> and <i>B. kandiensis</i> and others in a clade including <i>B. dorsalis</i> and <i>B. invadens</i> (syn. <i>B. dorsalis</i>). ITS1 sequences instead confirmed morphological identification. The integrative approach allowed identifying all the specimens collected as belonging to the <i>B. dorsalis</i> complex. This finding represents the first field interception in Europe of a member of one of the most dangerous groups of fruit flies.