Recent records of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae, Diptera) in Austria

Abstract: The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), a polyphagous tephritid, is one of the most important insect pests worldwide. Findings of fruits infested with C. capitata in Vienna in 2010 implicated increasing survey activities (especially trap survey) for this fruit fly species and other harmful tephritid species in Vienna and in fruit-producing regions of Austria. Between 2010 and 2018 in total almost 1200 adult C. capitata were captured in Austria using different trap-lure combinations. Almost all flies (> 99%) were caught in the city of Vienna, whereas no or only single flies were trapped in other Austrian regions. Molecular sequencing of several individuals revealed that they derived mainly from genetically different origins. However, some of the flies caught at different sampling sites and years in Vienna were clonal. While the origins of the flies caught remain unknown, the repeated findings of individuals of C. capitata in Vienna, are very likely linked to recurrent entries of juveniles with infested fruit. However, the findings of genetically clustered individuals in consecutive years support the theory that in certain areas of Vienna these catches might be the result of a possibly temporary establishment.