Bactrocera latifrons in Europe: the importance of the right attractant for detection

After the first finding of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in Italy, an emergency monitory plan was adopted in the infested area aimed at confirming or denying the establishment of this species in Italy. Scheduling the installation of traps set with both Methyl eugenol and Torula yeast, in 2019 the monitory plan allowed other captures of B. dorsalis and captures of a new Tephritidae, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), arousing large concern. Also known as solanum fruit fly, B. latifrons, although shows a smaller host range than other conspecific entities, could be particularly damaging in the temperate climate where nightshades and cucurbits represent major crops. An integrative characterization (morphological and molecular) was carried out, showing the finding of two different COI haplotypes which origin could not be confirmed. In 2020 monitoring activities continued, but no specimens of both the species were captured, presumably due to the temporary cessation in travels and trade during the pandemic emergency. Results highlighted the importance of using different attractants to increase the chances of intercept a larger number of invasive pests and promptly lay out a monitoring and control program.