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Sonntag, 2. November 2008

Mediterranean fruit fly

Family Tephritidae
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)
This pest is a notorious pest, capable of causing destruction of citrus fruits, peaches and various other fruits. Although established in many warmer parts of the world, including areas surrounding the Mediterranean, parts of Africa, Central and South America. Many countries operate rigorous quarantine or eradication measures to prevent this pest from becoming established. Larvae feed within the flesh of infested fruits and cause extensive damage; attacked fruits may drop prematurely and are often invaded by secondary bacterial and fungal pathogens. Fruits damaged only by adult oviposition. There are several generations in a season, the rate of development (and, hence, number of generations) depending considerably on temperature. At optimum temperatures of 32°C, development is very rapid, the life-cycle then being completed in approximately 2 weeks.

Resource: A textbook of Agriculture Entomology

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