The Mediterranean region under threat from the oriental fruit fly

Bactrocera dorsalis: this is the name of the oriental fruit fly, one of the most damaging pests for many fruit and vegetable production sectors, according to ANSES. Native to Eastern Asia, it attacks more than 500 species of wild and cultivated plants, including fruit crops (peach, pear, mango, banana, etc.), citrus fruits (lemon, orange, etc.) and crops. vegetables (tomato, pepper, melon, squash, etc.). The female lays her eggs under the skin of the fruit, the larvae which emerge then feed on the pulp, thus causing deterioration of the flesh of the fruit which can lead to its total destruction. The larvae then burrow into the soil under the plant to pupate from which adult flies hatch. Thefts but no home in mainland France The oriental fruit fly has been present in Reunion since 2017 and was reported for the first time in Europe in 2018, in an orchard in southern Italy. Since December 2019, the species has been classified as a Priority Quarantine Pest (PQP) in the EU, synonymous ...