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Reference · Pests

Drosophilidae

The family Drosophilidae comprises a large group of small flies. While many are scavengers feeding on decaying organic matter, certain members, most notably the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), have evolved to become significant agricultural pests capable of infesting intact, ripening fruit.

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Acletoxenus Acletoxenus Acletoxenus indica Acletoxenus indica African fig fly Zaprionus indianus African fig fly Zaprionus African fig fly Zaprionus tuberculatus Chymomyza Chymomyza Dark-winged fungus gnat (Drosophila funebris) Drosophila funebris Drosophila ananassae Drosophila ananassae Drosophila biarmipes Drosophila biarmipes Drosophila busckii Drosophila busckii Drosophila hydei Drosophila hydei Drosophila immigrans Drosophila immigrans Drosophila mercatorum Drosophila mercatorum Drosophila paulistorum Drosophila paulistorum Drosophila phalerata Drosophila phalerata Drosophila polymorpha Drosophila polymorpha Drosophila pseudoobscura Drosophila pseudoobscura Drosophila pulchrella Drosophila pulchrella Drosophila repleta Drosophila repleta Drosophila serrata Drosophila serrata Drosophila simulans Drosophila simulans Drosophila subobscura Drosophila subobscura Drosophila subpulchrella Drosophila subpulchrella Drosophila willistoni Drosophila willistoni Drosophila yakuba Drosophila yakuba Eastern fruit fly Chymomyza amoena Forest fruit fly Drosophila silvestris Fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Fruit fly Drosophila Fruit fly Drosophila immacularis Hawaiian fruit fly Drosophila heteroneura Mascarene fruit fly Zaprionus mascariensis Scaptomyza Scaptomyza Scaptomyza adusta Scaptomyza adusta Scaptomyza graminum Scaptomyza graminum Scaptomyza multispinosa Scaptomyza multispinosa Scaptomyza pallida Scaptomyza pallida Scaptomyza terminalis Scaptomyza terminalis Shore fruit fly Drosophila littoralis Spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii Wide-winged fruit fly Drosophila amplipennis Yellow leaf miner Scaptomyza flava Zaprionus bogoriensis Zaprionus bogoriensis Zaprionus ghesquierei Zaprionus ghesquierei Zaprionus ornatus Zaprionus ornatus Zaprionus vittiger Zaprionus vittiger

Drosophilidae

These pests primarily target soft-skinned fruits and berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, and grapes. Unlike native species that prefer overripe fruit, invasive drosophilids use a saw-like ovipositor to penetrate the skin of healthy fruit, depositing eggs directly into the flesh.

The life cycle of these insects is remarkably rapid. Depending on environmental conditions, particularly humidity and temperature, a single generation can complete its development in as little as 7 to 10 days. This high reproductive rate allows populations to explode during the harvesting season, leading to severe outbreaks.

Damage is characterized by sunken areas on the fruit, softening of the pulp, and premature breakdown of the produce. As larvae feed internally, they create tunnels, which accelerate rot and attract secondary pathogens, such as yeast and fungi, rendering the crop unmarketable for fresh consumption.

Effective management requires an integrated approach:

  • Regular monitoring using vinegar-based bait traps to detect the arrival of the pest.
  • Rigorous orchard sanitation to remove and bury all fallen or overripe fruit.
  • Harvesting crops frequently to prevent fruit from becoming overly mature and attractive to flies.
  • Using exclusion netting to physically prevent adult flies from reaching the fruit.
  • Targeted application of insecticides during the ripening stage, following all pre-harvest intervals.