Once again last week, the Federal Food Safety Agency (FAVV) identified two oriental fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis). One of the flies was found in the Brussels municipality of Koekelberg, the other in Antwerp. The announcement by FAVV that a further two oriental fruit flies had been caught and identified confirms a report published by VRT News. In mid-July an oriental fruit fly was caught in a fly trap at a market in Sint-Jan-Molenbeek, a municipality that is adjacent to Koekelberg.
Although the insect poses no risk to humans or animals, it can be harmful to crops as its larvae eat the flesh of fruit and vegetables, making them unfit for consumption. A total of 13 oriental fruit flies have been spotted in Belgium since 2023.
In order to limit their spread, FAVVSFC inspects 30 sites that are deemed to be a high-risk every summer. Throughout the year, the agency also inspects imported fruit and vegetables. The insect can grow to a size of one centimeter and resembles a wasp.
The oriental fruit fly is found widely in warm countries in Asia and Africa. FAVV asks those holiday in these countries not to bring fruit or vegetables back home with them. The relatively cold winters here in Belgium the likelihood of oriental fruit flies them establishing themselves her.
FAVV calls on consumers, producers and traders to be extra vigilant and to report any sightings of the fruit flies via this site (in Dutch and French only).