Geographic expansion in the Mediterranean region of the drosophilid genus Zaprionus: Establishment of the invasive African fruit fly, Zaprionus tuberculatus Malloch (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in Corsica (France) and Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

Based on specimens collected in citrus orchards the African fruit fly, Zaprionus tuberculatus Malloch, 1932 (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is recorded for the first time in Corsica (France) and Sicily (Italy). The spread of invasive drosophilid species to new regions via imported fruits occurs very rapidly. In the Mediterranean region, the invasive fly Z. tuberculatus has recently established in numerous areas. Although it is not yet well-known what impact it may cause on agricultural crops, in the light of recent data it must be considered as potentially harmful, like the closely related species Z. indianus, which has become an economically important pest on fig fruits. The pest status and range expansion of Z. tuberculatus should be assessed to estimate risk to fruit production. This paper provides information on the morphology, distribution and ecology of this drosophilid.