Pest survey card on Rhagoletis fausta

Abstract

This pest survey card was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2017-0137) at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to guide the Member States in preparing data and information for Rhagoletis fausta surveys. These are required to design statistically sound and risk-based pest surveys, in line with current international standards.Rhagoletisfausta,a clearly defined taxonomic entity, is an important pest of Prunus avium and P. cerasus. Import of plants for planting of Prunus host plants is currently prohibited, while cherriesimport issubject to specific measures aiming to prevent the entry ofnon-European Tephritidae into the EU. Nevertheless,the most likely introduction of R. fausta would be via transport of infested cherries followed by a gradual natural spread. Rhagoletis fausta is currently absent from the EU and surveys would thus be aimed at substantiating pest freedom. Adult trapping is the preferred survey methodfor detection of R. fausta. Focusing on trapping, the seasonal window for surveillance is limited to the period in which the adult flies are present, which is generally aligned to the period in which ripe host fruit isavailable. The primary hosts for detection surveys in the EU would be cultivated cherry trees. In addition, ornamental and wild Prunus species should be included in delimiting surveys.Rhagoletis fausta is expected to be able to become established inparts of the EU. Identification of R. fausta at the species level requires a morphological examination of the adult flies, and/or molecular tools.The pupae undergo a long dormancy period and adults usually emerge several months following pupation.