Moscas de la fruta
Fruit flies: what they are, how they originate, and how to eliminate them effectively.
Fruit Fly
Anastrepha Sp.
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
CRITICAL
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
The pathogen Anastrepha sp. is a genus of fruit flies that includes several species of agricultural importance due to their ability to damage various crops. Adult females lay their eggs inside fruits using a specialized ovipositor. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge and begin feeding on the internal tissue of the fruit, causing significant damage. These larvae go through several stages of development before pupating inside or outside fruit that has fallen to the ground. The pupae remain in the soil until they emerge as adult flies, ready to restart the infestation cycle. This process can be repeated several times a year, especially in hot climates, allowing fruit fly populations to proliferate rapidly and cause serious losses to susceptible crops.
SYMPTOMS
The disease caused by Anastrepha sp., known as fruit fly, causes considerable damage to blackberries, affecting both the quality and quantity of production. The symptoms begin with the presence of small wounds on the surface of the fruits where the females laid their eggs. As the larvae develop inside the fruits, internal damage becomes evident, compromising the structure and flavor of the blackberries. Affected fruits often show signs of premature decay and early drop, significantly reducing yield. Infestation by these flies can lead to considerable commercial depreciation due to the deteriorated appearance of the fruits. Symptoms include:
- Presence of small wounds on the surface of the fruits.
- Internal damage to the structure of the fruits.
- Premature decomposition of fruits.
- Early fruit fall.
- Deteriorated appearance and loss of commercial quality.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
20°C - 30°C
60% - 80%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Movement of infected fruits, flight of adult flies, exchange of plants and plant materials, transport of contaminated soil
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• ACETAMIPRID 20% [SP] P/P
• AZADIRACTIN 1% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• Azadirachtin 2.6% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 2.5% [EW] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• AZADIRACTIN 1% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• Azadirachtin 2.6% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
- Implement regular monitoring using pheromone traps to detect the presence of adult flies.
- Apply specific phytosanitary treatments at the appropriate times in the pest's life cycle.
- Carry out frequent collection and proper disposal of fallen and damaged fruits to reduce sources of infestation.
- Use physical barriers such as exclusion nets to protect crops from oviposition by females.
- Promote the presence of natural enemies by conserving habitats and releasing specific parasitoids and predators.
- Implement integrated pest management (IPM) practices that include the use of biological, cultural and chemical control in a coordinated manner.
- Maintain garden hygiene, eliminating crop remains and avoiding the accumulation of decomposing organic matter.
- Carry out post-harvest treatments to eliminate any life stage of the pest that may be present in the harvested fruits.
- Train farmers and workers in the early identification and effective management of fruit flies.
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