In February 2016, an amateur entomologist submitted a photograph of a non-indigenous Rhagoletis spp. to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The photograph was taken in an urban park in Mississauga, Ontario in July 2015. In May 2016, the CFIA initiated a detection survey in the park and on June 27, 2016, the CFIA confirmed the detection of R. cerasi, the European cherry fruit fly, in association with invasive honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) in this park. 
    

The European cherry fruit fly is the most serious pest of cherries in Europe. Damage associated with this pest is caused by larval feeding in the fruit pulp, which can result in losses of up to 100 per cent if left uncontrolled. This pest may be introduced to new areas with fresh cherries or with soil or fruit from host plants grown in areas where this pest occurs.
    

Rhagoletis cerasi is a regulated pest to Canada, and is previously unknown from North America. Its natural geographical range includes central and western Asia and most of continental Europe. In Europe, the principle hosts of R. cerasi are cherry, including sweet cherry (Prunus avium), sour cherry (P. cerasus), black cherry (P. serotina) and mahaleb cherry (P. mahaleb) and honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum, L. tartarica and L. alpigena). This species attacks the fruit of its host plants but no other plant parts.
    

R. cerasi is subject to official control in Canada. The CFIA is carrying out additional surveillance to delimit the distribution of this pest.
    

Additional information is available on the CFIA website at by clicking here.

Photos courtesy of Coutlin R. / OPIE