Peach fruit fly
Bactrocera zonata
Appearance
Die Abbildung der Adulten Pfirsichfruchtfliege "Bactrocera zonata female" von G. Goergen IITA ist lizenziert unter CC BY 4.0
The peach fruit fly belongs to the fruit fly family (Tephritidae).
The adult flies are approximately 5 mm long and are predominantly orange to brownish in colour. They have a yellow dorsal spot and a dark spot at the tip of their otherwise predominantly transparent wings.
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
Females of the peach fruit fly lay eggs under the skin of ripening fruit. After a few days, the larvae hatch from the eggs and feed on the flesh of the fruit. They develop inside the fruit, but leave it in the last larval stage and drop to the ground. In the soil under the host plant, pupation occurs and the adults hatch from the pupae. The entire development cycle is temperature dependent and lasts several weeks under optimal conditions (25 °C - 30 °C). The adults can live for several months and the females lay several hundred eggs during this time.
Damage symptoms
Egg laying results in punctate puncture marks on infested fruit. The larvae feed in the fruit and destroy the flesh. This can lead to rotting of the fruit. Due to the feeding activity of the larvae, considerable damage can occur inside the fruit even before symptoms are externally visible. In the early stages of infestation, symptoms of damage are difficult to see. Peach fruit flies attack only the fruit, so there is no damage to other parts of the plant, such as leaves, trunk, branches or roots.
Host plants
As a polyphagous fruit fly (i.e., it can feed on many different plants), the peach fruit fly has a large number of potential host plants. The main host plants are guava(Psidium guajava), mango(Mangifera indica), and peach(Prunus persica). In addition to these main host plants, a total of over 50 secondary hosts are known which can be used alternatively for development. These include important native cultivated plants such as apricot(Prunus armeniaca), apple(Malus domestica) or pear(Pyrus spp.).
Distribution
The peach fruit fly is native to Asia (e.g. India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan), and has been present on the Arabian Peninsula since the 1980s and in North Africa (e.g. Egypt, Libya) since the 1990s. It has become established in some countries (e.g. Egypt), whilst in others it has been eradicated, at least temporarily (e.g. Israel, USA). In Austria, individual specimens of the peach fruit fly have been found in recent years; however, this does not constitute an established population. Given the winter conditions in this country, it is unlikely that the peach fruit fly will become established here.
Spread and transmission
The peach fruit fly can be spread either actively or passively. Spread via infested fruit (commercial produce, travellers’ luggage) to previously uninfested areas is considered the most significant means of dispersal. Furthermore, passive dispersal can also occur over long distances via wind-borne transport. Active dispersal takes place through the flight of adults.
Prevention and control
- To detect the occurrence (monitoring) of the peach fruit fly: Attach suitable fruit fly traps (e.g. Delta traps, McPhail traps, ...) to catch the 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 peach 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 occurrences and contact the Official Plant Protection Service in your federal state.
Technical information
Research
Since 2012, AGES and the official plant protection services of the federal states have been carrying out continuous monitoring of the occurrence of the peach fruit fly and other important fruit fly species in Austria.
In addition, AGES participates in various European and international collaborations and projects relating to fruit flies:
EUPHRESCO Network Project FLY DETECT
Horizon 2020 project: FF-IPM – Fruit Flies In-silico / Prevention & Management
Publications
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 flies in domestic fruit growing. Besseres Obst 8, 7–8.
Lethmayer, C., 2011. Dangerous flies for apples and other fruit. Besseres Obst 12, 4–5.
Last updated: 29.09.2026
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