A fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) native to sub-Saharan Africa whose larvae develop inside more than 300 kinds of fruit and vegetables, causing internal rot and rendering produce unsellable. It has established itself across the Mediterranean basin, parts of the Americas, Australia and elsewhere, and its threat to fruit exports has driven some of the largest sterile insect technique eradication programs ever run.
Facts
Connections
Associated With
Orange, Crops The Mediterranean fruit fly is a major quarantine pest of orange and other citrus fruit.
Sources
1. Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening definition paragraph
Ceratitis capitata, commonly known as the Mediterranean fruit fly or medfly, is a yellow-and-brown fly native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has no near relatives in the Western Hemisphere and is considered to be one of the most destructive fruit pests in the world. There have been occasional medfly infestations in California, Florida, and Texas that require extensive eradication efforts to prevent the fly from establishing itself in the United States.
lead description
A fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) native to sub-Saharan Africa whose larvae develop inside more than 300 kinds of fruit and vegetables, causing internal rot and rendering produce unsellable.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.