This page describes the characterisitics and distribution of the Medfly. Medfly can overwinter as adults, eggs and larvae (in fruit), or as pupae in the ground. Due to our isolation, the long distances to markets and the associated costs, the growers here really rely on that fruit fly … This is to reduce the risk of introducing Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) into this area. They will also infest such fruits or vegetables if preferred hosts are not available, even when their populations are low. When Medfly numbers are high and competition is greater, females become less choosy and will infest less preferred hosts such as olives. Yates Nature’s Way Fruit Fly Control attracts and kills common fruit fly species. The bait can be applied with a garden pressure sprayer, hand-held spray bottle, or flung onto foliage from a bucket with a paint brush. These are described below. The attractiveness of food lures extends just a few metres, so traps should ideally be no more than 5–6m apart. They also need to be re-applied if there is more than 5mm of rain. BSc Biology, MSc Natural Resource Management . Many fruit fly trap recipes are available on the web or use the suggestions below. Once a suitable host is found, the ovipositor is used to pierce the fruit skin. Diagnostics confirmed the female fly was carrying eggs, which triggered the emergency response. Whitefly are prolific breeders with a short lifecycle. Most active from October through to May. Baiting may not provide control of Medfly in crops that are highly susceptible, or in high pressure areas such as in suburbs with many established fruit trees. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Agriculture and Food division is committed to growing and protecting WA's agriculture and food sector. As the temperature rises in spring, increased numbers of adults emerge from the ground and flies become active. The larvae feed on the fruit causing it to decompose. Stinging is caused by the female laying eggs into unripened or ripe fruit. However, they will travel further if no hosts are present. This stage of the life cycle is the most easily visible. Medfly, as it is commonly known, infest more than 200 hosts worldwide. The fruit fly traps will attract, trap and would kill the fruit flies. Mediterranean Fruit Fly Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly (Ceratitis capitata) is a serious horticultural pest in Western Australia (see map).It attacks many fruits and some vegetables. The first sign … The first sign of damage is often larvae-infested or ‘stung’ fruit. Adult medflies are active in winter when temperatures exceed 12°C. There are two main species of fruit fly in Australia - the Queensland Fruit Fly is found in Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria and the Mediterranean Fruit Fly which only occurs in Western Australia. The Mediterranean Fruit Fly has an oval abdomen with fine black bristles above, and two narrow light bands on the rear half of the body. Most of the damage to fruit is done by just two species - the exotic Mediterranean Fruit Fly on the western side of the continent and the native Queensland Fruit Fly in the east. Eggs laid in unripe fruit may hatch as the fruit ripens. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia The second option is to use a trap that contains a liquid protein source which female fruit flies are attracted to. Fruit flies (family Tephritidae) attack a wide range of fruits and vegetables. When fully grown (third instar), larvae stop feeding and leave the fruit, burrowing into the soil to pupate. 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