First detection of Bactrocera facialis in Fiji – Yasawa Islands (October 2025)

Publication Date

Fri, 14 Nov 2025, 04:11

Last Updated

Nov. 14, 2025, 4:20 a.m.

Report Number

FJI-08/2

Country

Fiji

Pest Id

Bactrocera facialis - (BCTRFA)

Report Status

Preliminary

Hosts

Primary risk to fleshy fruit of tropical horticultural crops. Known hosts (regional records) include: Guava (Psidium guajava) Mango (Mangifera indica) Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Papaya (Carica papaya) Other soft, sweet, thin-skinned fruits are typical of Tephritid fruit fly hosts (Also applies to movement of infested host produce, backyard fruit, and waste fruit.)

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

Fiji: Present in the Yasawa Islands (first detected October 2025); absent on mainland Viti Levu based on current surveillance. Pacific region: Present in Tonga.

Summary

Bactrocera facialis was detected in one of the outer islands (Yasawa Islands) in October 2025. A national response has been activated with movement controls, delimiting surveys, and suppression. The pest is not widely distributed and is under official control.

Danger

Economic: Risk of infestation in commercial and subsistence fruit production; potential yield loss and increased management costs. Spread: High risk of human-assisted spread via movement of infested fruit between islands; natural dispersal possible. Environment/Social: Threat to household food security and livelihoods in affected outer islands.

Contact for info

National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) – Fiji Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) GPO Box 1292, Suva, Fiji Website: www.baf.com.fj Phone: +679 3312512 Primary Contact: Surendra Pratap, Acting Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] Alternate Contact: Nitesh Datt, Chief Plant Protection Officer Email: [email protected]

Report files

Website

https://www.baf.com.fj

Issue keywords

Emergency action/emergency measures Incursion

Commodity keywords