Oriental fruit fly
Bactrocera dorsalis
Appearance
Die Abbildung der Adulten Orientalischen Fruchtfliege "Bactrocera dorsalis" von G. Goergen IITA ist lizenziert unter CC BY 4.0
The Oriental fruit fly belongs to the family of fruit flies (Tephritidae). The species is known by a number of synonyms, including Bactrocera invadens, B. papayae and B. philippinensis. It is the key species in the species complex of the same name (Bactrocera dorsalis complex), which comprises a large number of species, some of which are barely distinguishable from one another.
The adult flies are approximately 5 mm long and predominantly black or dark in colour, though they also feature yellow-coloured areas, such as a yellow dorsal spot. The otherwise transparent wings have a continuous dark stripe along the leading edge of the forewing.
The larvae (maggots) are white to cream-coloured, up to 1 cm long in the final larval stage, and have a black mouth hook.
Biology
The females of the oriental fruit fly lay eggs under the skin of ripening fruit. The larvae hatch from these eggs, where they feed and develop. They then leave the fruit and drop to the ground. Pupation takes place in the soil under the host plant and the adults hatch from the pupae. The entire development cycle is temperature-dependent and lasts only a few weeks under optimal conditions (23 °C - 32 °C). The adults can live for several months and the females lay several hundred eggs during this time.
Damage symptoms
Infested fruits have puncture marks from egg laying. The feeding larvae are found in the fruit and destroy the flesh. As a result, this can also lead to rotting of the fruit. This can cause significant damage to the interior of the fruit even before symptoms are readily visible externally. In early stages of infestation, any symptoms of damage are difficult to detect. Since this fruit fly species only attacks fruit, there is no damage to other parts of the plant, such as leaves, trunk, branches or roots.
Host plants
The Oriental fruit fly is a highly polyphagous fruit fly (i.e., it can feed on many different plants) and has the broadest host plant range of any Bactrocera species, with over 300 different plant species on whose fruits development is possible.
Major host plants include mangoes(Magnifera indica), oranges(Citrus sinensi), and other citrus fruits. However, a variety of wild and cultivated plants would also potentially be available in Europe such as peach(Prunus persica), apricot(P. armeniaca), plum(P. domestica), apple (Malus domestica), pear(Pyrus spp.) as well as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), bell pepper(Capsicum spp.) and other fruit-bearing plant species.
Distribution
The Oriental fruit fly is native to tropical Asia and Oceania and has been recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. Its presence on the African continent is likely to be due to introductions over the past two decades. Isolated cases of accidental introduction are also known to have occurred in other regions and continents, such as the United Arab Emirates. In Austria, isolated specimens of the Oriental fruit fly have been found in recent years. However, this does not constitute an established population. Given the winter weather conditions in Austria, the establishment of this tropical fruit fly species can currently be ruled out.
Propagation and transmission
The spread of the oriental fruit fly can be active or passive. The most important way of spreading is by means of infested fruits (merchandise, luggage of travelers) to previously uninfested areas. In addition, the oriental fruit fly can be spread passively by wind dispersal over long distances. Active dispersal occurs through the flight of adults.
Prevention and control
- Detection of the occurrence (monitoring): Attachment of suitable fruit fly traps (e.g. Delta traps, McPhail traps, ...) to catch adults using specific attractants:
- Parapheromone (methyl eugenol) to attract males
- protein-based, to attract female flies
- There are currently no plant protection products authorised against this pest in Austria (see list of plant protection products authorised in Austria)
Phytosanitary status
The Oriental fruit fly is listed as a Union quarantine pest by the European Union and is therefore subject to legal regulations designed to prevent its introduction into and spread within the EU Member States. Please be aware of the obligation to report any sightings and contact the Official Plant Protection Service in your federal state.
Fachinformation
Forschung
Von der AGES und den amtlichen Pflanzenschutzdiensten der Bundesländer werden seit 2012 kontinuierlich Monitorings zum Auftreten wichtiger Fruchtfliegenarten in Österreich durchgeführt.
Zudem beteiligt sich die AGES uns an verschiedenen europäischen und internationalen Kooperationen und Projekten zu Fruchtfliegen:
EUPHRESCO Netzwerk Projekt FLY DETECT
H2020 Projekt: FF-IPM – Fruit Flies In-silico / Prevention & Management
Publikationen
Egartner, A., Lethmayer, Wernicke, M., Kolkmann, K., Gottsberger, R. A., 2025. Update on catches of Bactrocera spp. (Tephritidae, Diptera) in Austria. IOBC-WPRS Bulletin 178, 6-10.
Milonas, P., Egartner, A., Ivanova, I., 2020. Development and implementation of early detection tools and effective management strategies for invasive non-European and other selected fruit fly species of economic importance (FLY DETECT). Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3732297
Egartner, A., Lethmayer, C., Gottsberger, R. A., Blümel, S., 2019. Survey on Bactrocera spp. (Tephritidae, Diptera) in Austria. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 49(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/epp.12604
Lethmayer, C., Egartner, A., 2019. Invasive Fliegen im heimischen Obstbau. Besseres Obst 8, 7-8.
Last updated: 29.09.2026
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