2023-08-25 09:45:00
If you are told “Bactrocera dorsalis”, you will probably answer “WHAT? “. However, this Friday, the FASFC wants to draw the attention of Belgians to this species of the family and the size of flies. This is also one of its other names: “Oriental fruit fly” or “Asian fruit fly”.
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“Originally from tropical countries, it is a harmful insect that can destroy entire market garden or fruit production,” recalls the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain. If it is not yet too widespread in our regions, the “Bactrocera dorsalis” has still been spotted recently in various European countries, and in the north of Belgium.
It is more precisely in Antwerp, on a fruit market, that the species was discovered. A case that pushes the FASFC to strengthen its monitoring and recall some tips for use.
How to recognize this insect?
If this small this small black and yellow insect may look like a wasp, it is not. “In the adult stage, it measures between 0.8 and 1 cm and is recognizable by the two yellow bands on the edges of its thorax (a), the black border on the edge of their wings (b) and the pattern in the shape of a ” T” on their abdomen (c)”, explains the FASFC.
Help with recognition, so as not to be mistaken: a wasp is more imposing than this fly, has 2 pairs of visible wings (and not only one visible in the case of the fly) and has larger antennae and mandibles. The bee is hairy while the oriental fruit fly is not.
Identify, inform, act
Finally, the alert from the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain is aimed above all at professionals active in the production or import of fruit and vegetables. “You must ensure that this insect is not present and if you identify it, you must absolutely take measures and in particular, immediately inform the FASFC. The FASFC will examine whether this is a unique discovery linked to the import of contaminated fruit or an outbreak. In the first case, which is the most likely, efforts will be made to trace the origin of the contamination and prevent the spread of the insect. In the second case, we will establish a security perimeter around the place of detection within which strict measures will be taken to prevent propagation. »
Harmless to humans or animals
But enthusiasts should also stay alert. “Do you grow a few fruit trees, do you have a fruit and vegetable garden? Although the probability of finding this insect there is low, being attentive to it will not hurt! So keep an eye out for flies circulating around your plants and if you identify any that look very similar to the photos below, take action! Take as clear a photo as possible of the speckle and send it to [email protected]. Try to capture the flies and keep them in a tightly closed container. If we identify from your photograph that it is indeed Bactrocera dorsalis, we will contact you. »
Note, however, that Bactrocera dorsalis is harmless to humans and animals. “It is its larvae that eat the flesh of the fruits and make them unfit for consumption.”
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