History

The Mexican fruit fly is found throughout Central America and northern South America. It continues to spread into the cultivated citrus areas of the west coast of Mexico and northward toward Texas, Arizona, and California.

Biology

The female deposits eggs in citrus and other fruit when the fruit begins to show color. Eggs hatch in six to 12 days. Newly hatched larvae eat and burrow into the pulp of the fruit, adapting the color of their host, and are easily overlooked. Fully grown larvae emerge through exit holes, usually after the fruit has fallen to the ground, and pupate in the soil. Larva can develop in three to four weeks. Larva development is more rapid in areas with higher temperatures.

Ecology

All varieties of citrus are attacked except lemons and sour limes. Grapefruit is the fly's preferances while oranges are second. The Mexican fruit fly is well established in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas. Infested fruit may be unfit to eat. Larvae feed while tunneling through the interior of fruits while microscopic organisms cause decay of fleshy portions of the fruit.

Impact

The Mexican fruit fly is a significant agricultural pest in Mexico and parts of Central America, where it attacks more than 50 varieties of fruit, including citrus, mango, avocado, peach, pear and pomegranate.

Control

Currently, a Mexican Fruit Fly Eradication Project is underway in Valley Center, San Diego County. Mexican fruit fly adults have been eradicated from California several times.

References on the Web:

California Department of Food and Agriculture

University of Florida

Center for Global Food Issues

Agricultural Research Service (photo)