Range
many countries throughout the world
in North America, infestations have been reported in California, Florida, and Texas
Food
larvae feed and develop on many deciduous, subtropical, and tropical fruits (citrus, peach, pear, apple) and some vegetables, sometimes tunneling through the pulp and eventually reducing it to a juicy inedible mass
Remarks
One of the world's most destructive fruit pests, and the most economically important fruit fly species. When it has been detected in Florida and California, especially in recent years, each infestation necessitated intensive and massive eradication and detection procedures so that the pest did not become established. [U. of Florida]
In California, a state government program releases large numbers of sterile males, which are a not-uncommon sight in some places. A female (they have a visible ovipositor on the rear tip of the abdomen) would be a sign of an infestation, and should be reported immediately.
Internet References
comprehensive overview with photos, drawings, references, and a large amount of information (multiple authors, U. of Florida)
live adult image (Agriculture Western Australia)
live adult image (IPTEKnet, Indonesia)
