Mediterranean fruit fly

Ceratitis capitata

1. Identification

• Common name: Mediterranean fruit fly
• Scientific name: Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann
• Order: Diptera
• Family: Tephritidae

2. Pest description

• Adults of 4–6 mm, with a yellowish-brown body with dark patterns.
• Wings with characteristic bands, very visible.
• White, legless larvae that develop in the pulp of the fruits.
• Brown pupae, formed in the soil.
• Eggs laid under the epidermis of ripe or ripening fruits.

3. Main hosts

• An extremely polyphagous species, attacking more than 200 species.
• Citrus, peach, plum, fig, mango, guava, pear, apple, loquat, among others.
• Preference for fruits with soft, sugary pulp.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Small perforations in the epidermis of the fruits.
• Softening and discolouration of the pulp.
• Presence of larval galleries.
• Premature fruit drop.
• Very high economic losses in table fruit trees.
• Facilitation of secondary infections by fungi and bacteria.

5. Biological cycle

• Several generations per year, especially in warm climates.
• Adults active during most of the year in Mediterranean regions.
• Egg-laying in ripe or ripening fruits.
• Larvae develop in 5–10 days.
• Pupation in the soil, where they remain for 1–3 weeks.
• Cycle accelerated by high temperatures and high availability of fruits.

6. Monitoring

• McPhail-type traps with food attractants.
• Yellow chromotropic traps.
• Specific attractants (trimedlure) for males.
• Weekly counting of captures.
• Sampling of fruits for the detection of larvae.
• Continuous monitoring between spring and autumn.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: collection and destruction of fallen fruits; removal of remaining fruits after harvest; rigorous sanitation of the orchard; vegetation management to reduce shelter sites.
• Biological: use of natural parasitoids; application of entomopathogens to the soil; conservation of natural enemies; sterile insect technique (SIT) in regional programmes.
• Integrated protection: continuous monitoring; bait treatments in critical periods; mass trapping with traps; attract-and-kill strategies; judicious application of authorised insecticides; integration of cultural practices to reduce sources of infestation.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Ceratitis capitata.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – Ceratitis capitata.
• Navarro‑Llopis, V. et al. (2013). Control strategies for Mediterranean fruit fly.
• Ekesi, S. et al. (2006). Fruit fly management in horticulture.