West Indian Fruit Fly

Pest Profile

Common Name

West Indian Fruit Fly

Scientific Name

Anastrepha obliqua

Order and Family

Diptera, Tephritidae

Credit: By Jorge Valdez, Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico.

Predominantly yellowish-brown flies and the setae are red-brown to dark-brown. The genus Anastrepha differs from other fruit fly genera by wing venation characters, yellow and brown banding on the wings and body, and the shape and length of the ovipositor.

Distribution

It is widespread in Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies.

Life Cycle

The female punctures host fruit to lay eggs which develop into larvae. The punctures admit decay organisms that may cause tissue breakdown. Larval feeding causes breakdown of fruit tissue. Fruits with egg punctures and larval feeding are generally unfit for human consumption. Pupae may be found in fruit, but normally drop out and are found in soil.