Fruit Fly (Bactrocera facialis) Detected in Fiji
Date: 05 November 2025
Issued by: Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF)
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) has confirmed the detection of Fruit Fly (Bactrocera facialis) in Fiji, marking the first official report of the pest in the country. This species of
fruit fly is native to Tonga and exotic to Fiji.
The fruit fly was initially detected during routine surveillance on Nanuya Island in the Yasawa Group. Subsequent delimiting surveys and mass trapping have confirmed the
presence of the pest on three additional nearby islands: Naukacuvu, Narara, and Vomo. It is a significant agricultural pest posing serious threats to crops in tropical regions.
Bactrocera facialis is a polyphagous fruit fly with a wide host range, including major hosts like breadfruit, mango, kavika, avocado, guava, chillies, capsicum and papaya.
Why this Fruit Fly is of concern?
Fruit flies cause damage by laying eggs in fruit, which hatch into creamy to white legless larvae that burrow and feed inside, causing internal decay and mushiness of fruits.
External signs include puncture or sting marks, discoloration, water-soaked patches, and premature fruit drop. This can lead to significant losses for agriculture and make fruit inedible or marketable.
Fiji already has several native fruit fly species that can cause similar damage to fruit, so the impacts described are not new or unique to this detection.
Response Measures Underway
BAF and MoAW have immediately activated its Plant Pest Emergency Response Action to contain and manage the incursions. Actions currently underway include:
- Delimiting Surveillance: Intensive trapping and field inspections to define the extent of the incursion.
- Deployment of additional pheromone traps: Deployment of lure stations to attract and kill males.
- Protein Bait Sprays: to suppress the female population present in surrounding areas.
- Quarantine and containment protocols. BAF restricts the movement of the any fruits between the islands in Yasawa group and also bringing to the mainland Viti Levu. These measures will prevent spreading of the fruit fly from its current detection site and making the biosecurity response effective.
- Pest Identification and Reporting: Farmers and stakeholders are encouraged to report any suspicious crop damage and sightings.
What Farmers and the Public Should Do
BAF urges all travelers not to take any fruits from these infested islands to other parts of Fiji.
Farmers, stakeholders, and Public to be vigilant and report any suspected signs of fruit fly activity immediately to BAF or MoAW.
Suspected sightings should be reported to the BAF hotline on 5994, or through the nearest BAF or the Ministry of Agriculture & Waterways Office