Exotic Fruit Fly Pests

Fruit flies are one of the most potentially destructive pests in the world. Fruit flies have a wide host range of fruits, vegetables and nuts, and most of Florida’s crops, including citrus, fall within the host range. This makes it imperative to act quickly and decisively when any species of fruit fly is found. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is currently using several methods to support and protect Florida from exotic fruit fly pests.

Florida Exotic Fruit Fly Monitoring Program

Fruit Fly Life Cycle 

Adult female fruit flies will deposit several eggs under the skin of a host fruit or vegetable. The larvae hatch from the eggs and tunnel through the pulp, turning it into a rotting mass.

Fruit Fly Activities

• Caribbean Fruit Fly Certification Program

Fruit Fly Brochures

• Fruit Fly Pests [ 2.4 MB ]

Fruit Fly Pest Alerts

• Anastrepha ludens, Mexican Fruit Fly [ 401 kB ]
• Anastrepha suspensa, Caribbean Fruit Fly
• Bactrocera correcta, Guava Fruit Fly [ 1.1 MB ]
• Bactrocera dorsalis, Oriental fruit fly [ 2 MB ]
• Bactrocera zonata, Peach Fruit Fly [ 162.9 kB ]
• Ceratitis capitata, Mediterranean Fruit Fly [ 468.9 kB ]
• Ceratitis capitata, Found on Habanero Shipment [ 317.6 kB ]

Other Flies of Interest

• Spotted Wing Drosophila [ 372 kB ]

Additional Resources

• Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey & NAPIS
• University of Florida — Mexican Fruit Fly
• University of Florida — Oriental Fruit Fly
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Information
• USDA-APHIS Fruit Fly Information