Probodelt

Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a diptera from the Tephritidae family. The adult is smaller than the housefly. It has transparent wings decorated with eye-catching drawings. The female has an abdomen which finishes in a conical shape and it also has a long ovipositor which is used to penetrate the fruit skin and leave the eggs inside.

The eggs are long and smooth. The larva is apodous and whitish. The head stands out because of the presence of two little black dots which are the eyes. The pupae is dark brown, about 5 mm long.

This fly, which comes from the western coast of Africa, has spread out in the majority of warm areas worldwide. In Catalonia, it can be found on the coast, mainly in the Tarragona region. In the rest of the Peninsula, it spreads out in a large part of the territory, especially in Valencian Community, Murcia and Andalusia.

By the end of the spring, adults emergence begins. A few days later, the female can start laying eggs. They leave the eggs under the fruit epidermis. It is particularly interesting to know that the ones that have already been stung are not visited by other females. The laying period is between 30 to 60 days but it depends a lot on the area.

Larvae complete their development inside the fruit in one week and then jump to the ground to pupate. In 10 more days, they become new adults. The biological cycle can be completed in 20 days and annual generations may vary a lot according to the climate conditions and the food they have.

Mediterranean fruit fly is a really polyphagous species which affects mainly peach trees, orange trees and mandarin trees although damage is also detected in apple trees, pear trees, fig trees, persimmon trees, apricot trees… In the case of peach trees, the most affected varieties are the late ones (end of August). However, with citrus it is just the opposite; the earliest varieties (beginning of September) are the most sensitive to attacks.