Natal fruit fly

Ceratitis rosa

1. Identification

• Common name: Natal fruit fly
• Scientific name: Ceratitis rosa Karsch
• Order: Diptera
• Family: Tephritidae

2. Pest description

• Adults 4–7 mm, yellowish-brown body with dark patterns.
• Wings with characteristic bands, similar to those of other Ceratitis.
• White larvae, apodous, develop in the pulp of the fruits.
• Brown pupae, formed in the soil.
• Eggs laid beneath the epidermis of the fruits.

3. Main hosts

• Tropical and subtropical fruit trees.
• Citrus, mango, guava, papaya, peach, avocado, among others.
• Highly polyphagous species, attacking dozens of hosts.

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.
• High economic losses in fresh fruit crops.
• Facilitation of secondary infections by fungi.

5. Biological cycle

• Several generations per year in warm climates.
• Adults active during much of the year.
• Oviposition in ripening fruits.
• Larvae develop in 5–10 days.
• Pupation in the soil, where they can remain several weeks.
• Cycle accelerated by high temperatures and high fruit availability.

6. Monitoring

• Yellow chromotropic traps and McPhail-type traps.
• Food or specific attractants for Tephritidae.
• Weekly counting of captures.
• Fruit sampling for larva detection.
• Continuous monitoring in tropical and subtropical orchards.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: collection and destruction of fallen fruits; removal of remaining fruits after harvest; vegetation management to reduce shelter sites.
• Biological: use of natural parasitoids; application of entomopathogens to the soil; conservation of natural enemies.
• Integrated protection: continuous monitoring; bait treatments during critical periods; mass trapping with traps; judicious application of authorised insecticides; attract-and-kill strategies; proper orchard management to reduce sources of infestation.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Ceratitis rosa.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – Ceratitis rosa.
• De Meyer, M. et al. (2015). Biology and distribution of Ceratitis rosa.
• Ekesi, S. et al. (2006). Fruit fly management in tropical horticulture.