Symptoms, treatments, and recommendations for dealing with fruit flies
Fruit flies
Drosophila melanogaster / Ceratitis capitata
Pathogen:
Type:
Insect
Risk:
CRITICAL
Plantas decorativas de jardín y/o interior
Moscas de la fruta
WHO CAUSES IT?
Drosophila melanogaster and Ceratitis capitata are two species of diptera that, although different in their biological and ecological characteristics, share a relevant role as agricultural pests. Drosophila melanogaster, also known as the vinegar fly, has rapid development and reproduces in fermenting organic matter, while Ceratitis capitata, known as the Mediterranean fly, has a more aggressive behavior towards healthy fruits and is one of the most devastating pests in fruit trees in temperate and tropical climates. Both species go through a complete transformation with egg, larva, pupa and adult phases. Adult females lay their eggs in fruits at different degrees of maturity. The larvae emerge and feed on plant tissue, causing internal damage that promotes decomposition. After larval development, they abandon the fruit to pupate in the soil. The adults emerge after several days, depending on the temperature, and restart the process. Its reproductive capacity is very high, especially under favorable temperature and humidity conditions, which contributes to its rapid expansion and establishment in new agricultural habitats.
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SYMPTOMS
Infestation by Drosophila melanogaster and Ceratitis capitata in plants generates damage that directly affects fruit production. These flies, when ovipositing on the fruits, introduce microorganisms that accelerate the fermentation and rotting process. The larvae that hatch from the laid eggs feed on the pulp, weakening the tissues and causing the internal collapse of the fruit. Affected fruits lose commercial value and may fall prematurely. On a visual level, the symptoms may go unnoticed in the initial phases, but they quickly evolve to more obvious forms.
- Soft or sunken spots on the surface of the fruit
- Presence of white larvae inside the fruit
- Changes in the color of the fruit towards dark or abnormal tones
- Smell of fermentation or vinegar
- Irregular or accelerated maturation
- Premature fruit drop
- Perforated areas or areas with visible entry points
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
18 °C – 30 °C
60 % – 80 %
TRANSMISSION PATHS
Transport of infested fruits, Direct contact with infected fruits, Wind, Contaminated tools, Contaminated plant material
Do you want to remove this disease? Choose how you want to treat it.
TREATMENTS
Chemical treatment
• DELTAMETHRIN 1.5% [EW] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 1.57% [SC] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 2.5% [EC] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
• PYRETHRINS 4.65% (as pyrethrum extract) [EC] P/V
• POTASSIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS C14-C20 48% [EW] P/V
• SPINETORAM 2.5% [SC] P/V
• SPINOSAD 48% [SC] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
• PYRETHRINS 4.65% (as pyrethrum extract) [EC] P/V
• POTASSIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS C14-C20 48% [EW] P/V
• SPINOSAD 48% [SC] P/V
Biological control
-
Recommendations
- Avoid excess overripe fruits on the plant or fallen on the ground, as they serve as a reservoir for oviposition and larval development.
- Install monitoring traps with specific pheromones or food baits to detect early presence and estimate population density.
- Use anti-insect mesh to prevent adults from accessing the fruits during the critical ripening phase.
- Apply treatments with authorized products at strategic times, especially during the insect's maximum flight period, alternating active ingredients to avoid resistance.
- Promote biological control by releasing parasitoids such as Diachasmimorpha longicaudata or using entomopathogenic fungi in the soil against pupae.
- Eliminate or destroy infested fruits to interrupt the pest development cycle.
- Carry out sanitary pruning that improves ventilation and makes colonization of plants by adults more difficult.
- Avoid transporting infested fruits to new areas to stop the spread of the pest.
- Carry out frequent sampling during times of greatest risk, especially in hot and humid climates.
*The recommended treatments are still recommendations according to the databases of the authorities and at no time do they replace the guidelines established according to the legislation of each country
*The products shown are recommendations and are not our own products. As Amazon Associates, we earn revenue from purchases of recommended products.
TREATMENTS
Homemade treatments
There are no home treatments
Natural allies
Chemical treatments
There are no treatments for this disease. Treatments are directed at the insect vectors that transmit it. See insect treatments.
RECOMMENDATIONS
REPELLENT PLANTS
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS PEST
*The recommended treatments are still recommendations according to the databases of the authorities and at no time do they replace the guidelines established according to the legislation of each country
*The products shown are recommendations and are not our own products. As Amazon Associates, we earn revenue from purchases of recommended products.
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