Oriental fruit fly

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Bactrocera dorsalis (= invadens)

1. Identification

• Common name: Oriental fruit fly
• Scientific name: Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsura & White 
• Synonym: Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel 
• Order: Diptera
• Family: Tephritidae

2. Pest description

• Adults 6–8 mm, yellowish-brown body with black markings.
• Transparent wings with slight characteristic spots.
• White larvae, apodous, develop in the pulp of the fruits.
• Brown pupae, formed in the soil.
• Eggs laid beneath the epidermis of ripe or ripening fruits.

3. Main hosts

• Highly polyphagous species, attacking more than 300 species.
• Mango, citrus, guava, papaya, banana, avocado, peach, fig, 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 tropical and subtropical fruit trees.
• Facilitation of secondary infections by fungi.

5. Biological cycle

• Several generations per year in warm climates.
• Adults active throughout the year in tropical regions.
• Oviposition in ripe or ripening fruits.
• Larvae develop in 5–11 days.
• Pupation in the soil, where they remain 7–10 days.
• Cycle accelerated by high temperatures and high fruit availability.

6. Monitoring

• McPhail-type traps with food or specific attractants (e.g.: methyl eugenol).
• Yellow chromotropic traps.
• 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; rigorous orchard sanitation.
• 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; attract-and-kill strategies; judicious application of authorised insecticides; proper orchard management to reduce sources of infestation.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Bactrocera dorsalis.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – Bactrocera dorsalis.
• Ekesi, S. et al. (2016). Biology and management of Bactrocera dorsalis.
• Drew, R. A. I. & Hancock, D. L. (1994). Taxonomy and distribution of Bactrocera spp..