In Bulgaria, the Spotted Wing Drosophila Monitoring Program is in effect

Following a pest risk analysis, the pest Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii Matsumura was included in the A2 List of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) in 2011. The recommendation to member countries is to conduct monitoring on their territories to clarify the distribution range and economic impact of this species.

Due to the significant threat to our country, a Monitoring Program for Spotted Wing Drosophila in Bulgaria was developed as early as 2012 within the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, "Plant Protection" sector. In subsequent years, the Monitoring Program expanded to include new surveillance areas – entry border checkpoints, host plant plantations, warehouses, fruit storage facilities, and others.

D. suzukii was first detected in Bulgaria in June 2014 using a trap specifically placed for this species in a cherry orchard at a monitoring point in Blagoevgrad. In August and September, specimens of the Spotted Wing Drosophila were caught again in traps for fruit flies (Biolure) placed in a mixed plantation of cherries, apples, pears, plums, and peaches in the Blagoevgrad area. In September, the species was also confirmed using the same type of trap in a plum plantation in the village of Tarnovlag, Kyustendil region. In October, specimens of Spotted Wing Drosophila were caught in plantations with apples and peaches in the Plovdiv region (village of Voyvodinovo and village of Kalekovets) as well. The species was identified at the Central Laboratory for Plant Quarantine. During inspections carried out by phytosanitary inspectors in the three areas of capture, no damaged fruits were found.

In November, D. suzukii was detected in a vegetable market in the village of Parvenets, in a premises with tomatoes imported from Macedonia; kiwis, mandarins, and grapefruits originating from Greece. During the same period, the species was observed in the vegetable market in Varna, in a warehouse with lemons and oranges imported from Turkey, and pears and grapes originating from Greece.

Conclusions from the conducted monitoring for D. suzukii:

1. For the first time in Bulgaria, the pest Spotted Wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii Matsumura has been detected, which poses a serious threat to the production of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, peaches, apricots, grapes, kiwis, and other fruits in our country.
2. No damage to fruits was observed at the monitoring points.
3. The presumed source of infection is the movement of fruits within the country from the Thessaloniki market. In some cases, it can be assumed that the reason for the pest's appearance is proximity to highways and parking lots, fruit and vegetable markets.
4. In 2015, the monitoring for Spotted Wing Drosophila, carried out by phytosanitary inspectors in the BFSA, will continue.
5. It is necessary to develop a National Program for implementing control and management measures against the pest.