New Fruit Fly Invasion Puts Fiji’s Fruit Crops at Risk

An invasive fruit fly species that threatens many of Fiji’s most common fruits has been detected in the Yasawa Islands, prompting the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) to launch an emergency response.

This is the first time the pest, called Bactocera facialis, has been officially recorded in the country.

The fruit fly was first found during routine surveillance on Nanuya Island in the Yasawa group. Follow-up investigations have since confirmed its presence on Naukacuvu, Narara, and Vomo islands.

The species is native to Tonga and is considered a serious agricultural threat because it attacks many common fruits, including breadfruit, mango, kavika, avocado, guava, chillies, capsicum and papaya.

Fruit flies damage fruit by laying eggs inside it. The larvae feed on the fruit, causing it to rot from the inside, making it unmarketable and unsafe to eat.

BAF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways have already activated a Plant Pest Emergency Response, which includes intensive surveillance and trapping, deployment of pheromone lure stations, protein bait spraying, and quarantine restrictions on the movement of fruit between the affected islands and to Viti Levu.

BAF is urging travellers and residents not to transport fruit from these islands to any other parts of Fiji.

The public is also encouraged to watch for signs of fruit fly damage and report cases immediately.

Suspected sightings can be reported to the BAF hotline on 5994 or at the nearest BAF or Ministry of Agriculture & Waterways office.