Country: Canada

Title: Rhagoletis pomonella (apple maggot) detected in West Kelowna, British Columbia

Contact:
Patricia McAllister, National Manager, Horticulture Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Ontario. Phone: (613) 773-7166.

Report:

On September 8, 2015, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the detection of a single apple maggot fly (Rhagoletis pomonella) in a single CFIA trap, in a residential neighbourhood, in West Kelowna, British Columbia (BC). This is the first detection of apple maggot in the southern interior of BC, and it was found during the CFIA’s annual surveillance program. Fruits and trees of host species and soil in the vicinity of the positive trap are currently under regulatory control and a delimitation survey is underway. The nearest commercial orchard is well outside the flight range of apple maggot. There have been no additional detections of apple maggot to date.

Rhagoletis pomonella is a regulated pest in Canada with a limited distribution in BC. In accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 8: Determination of Pest Status in an Area), this pest is not established in the southern interior of the province of BC; it is transient, actionable, and under official surveillance.

The CFIA regulates the importation and domestic movement of apple maggot host materials, including fruits, rooted plants, and soil to prevent the introduction and spread of apple maggot into and within British Columbia (D-00-07: Import and domestic phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of apple maggot (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/horticulture/d-00-07/eng/1323819375916/1323819810662).

Additional information is available on CFIA website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/insects/apple-maggot/fact-sheet/eng/1330366145611/1330366375524

Posted Date: Oct. 2, 2015, 9 a.m.