The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) has confirmed the detection of the Bactrocera facialis fruit fly in Fiji — the first official report of this pest in the country.
BAF said the species, which is native to Tonga and exotic to Fiji, was first identified during routine surveillance on Nanuya Island in the Yasawa Group.
Subsequent trapping and surveys confirmed its presence on three nearby islands — Naukacuvu, Narara, and Vomo.
Described as a major agricultural pest, Bactrocera facialis poses serious threats to crops in tropical regions. The species attacks a wide range of host plants including breadfruit, mango, kavika, avocado, guava, chillies, capsicum, and papaya.
BAF explained that fruit flies damage fruit by laying eggs inside, which later hatch into larvae that burrow and feed within the fruit, causing internal decay, discoloration, and premature fruit drop.
While Fiji already has several native fruit fly species that can cause similar damage, this is the first detection of Bactrocera facialis locally.
In response, BAF and the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways have activated a Plant Pest Emergency Response Action to contain and manage the incursion.
Measures include delimiting surveillance through intensive trapping and inspections to determine the spread, deployment of protein bait sprays to suppress the female population, quarantine restrictions on the movement of fruits between the affected Yasawa islands and to Viti Levu and pest identification and reporting protocols to ensure early detection of new cases.
BAF is urging farmers and the public not to transport fruits from the affected islands and to report any suspected sightings or crop damage to the BAF hotline 5994 or the nearest BAF or Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways office.
