Mediterranean fruit fly - Ceratitis capitata

Medfly

I hope it's just one of the sterile males they release- did you see anything like an ovipositor on the abdomen? That would indicate a female. If it's a male and you still have it, the sterile males are marked with a dye that makes their heads glow under ultraviolet light.

According to the website associated with your picture link, they found a couple of mated females in San Bernardino County last week, so your find could be evidence of a more widespread infestation, which would be a very big deal. It would probably be a good idea to send a message to someone using the links in the website and let them know, without waiting for ID verification.

… Chuck Entz, 10 October, 2005 - 8:35pm

Med Fly & Malathion

Chuck, funny you should mention that. After I took the pictures I happened outside to see the med fly trap that is usually in my tree (the city puts it there, neighbor has a couple apple trees) and the trap is not there. It's the round glass type trap. It occurred to me they may not be monitoring this area thinking the problem is gone. And seeing as I have never seen a med fly in person, and this fellow landed on me, I then emailed the phppsinfo@cdfa.ca.gov the fruit fly contact for med fly alerts etc. I sent the pic I took also. I gave my exact location and indicated my trap is gone. I don't know if he was a sterile male he flew away. I have not heard back from them. I will alert them once more.

… Stephanie Hart, 10 October, 2005 - 8:51pm

Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae)

Probably Ceratitis capitata. I attach you a recent shot of this fruit fly in my city, Tarragona, besides Mediterranean sea in eastern Spain.

Haven't seen genus Ceratitis in bugguide, and don't know for sure if it's described in California (probably it is, as a local speciation or imported from Europe). A US expert will confirm my identification. Best regards ;)

P.S.: To bugguide admin, may add my shot of Ceratitis capitata to the database if it's valuable for you.

… aphanius, 9 October, 2005 - 7:13pm

Ceratitis capitata in California

This fly has been accidentally introduced several times, resulting in massive government efforts to eradicate it. It's considered a very serious threat to our agricultural industry. Mishandling of an outbreak some years back may well have cost one California governor his job.

… Chuck Entz, 10 October, 2005 - 8:42pm

Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae)

Breathtaking photo Joan! This shows the incredible detail!

… Stephanie Hart, 9 October, 2005 - 7:49pm