Mediterranean Fruit Fly
12Tuesday 04 November, 2014 by Uncle Spike
One of the most prolific pests that affects citrus fruit production is the humble Ceratitis capitata, or Mediterranean Fruit Fly. In short, from late summer when the fruit has formed and the acids are becoming sugar right through to when the daytime temps drop below 22 (72F), which means mid December here, this little critter can devastate a whole crop in days if not kept in check. In 2008 we lost 40% of our crop.
This is the background for those interested, taken from Wikipedia…
Ceratitis capitata, the Mediterranean fruit fly, or medfly for short, is a species of fruit fly capable of causing extensive damage to a wide range of fruit crops. It is native to the Mediterranean area, but has spread invasively to many parts of the world, including Australasia and North and South America.
Adult medflies lay their eggs under the skins of fruit, particularly where the skin is already broken. The eggs hatch within three days, and the larvae develop inside the fruit. The adults have a limited ability to disperse, but the global fruit trade can transport infected fruit over thousands of miles.
This a library photo from Wikipedia:
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And here is one I took on a stockroom window this week. Not a great photo, but it’s an actual genuine wee beastie (note the distinctive ‘jet’ formation wings):
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Anyway, they generally attack on the shoulder of the south-west face of citrus trees (lemon, tangerine, with orange and clementine the most vulnerable trees as they are sweetest). Once the fly has infected the fruit, it will over-ripen in one spot very very quickly (see image below).
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Then once the larvae hatch, the fruit will become mushy as the bugs take their fill. Often this rapid over-ripening causes the fruit to split open as you can see below.
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As much as I’m loathed to use pesticides, needs must. There are very lovely more organic sprays available, but they cost more than the fruit is worth! Remember, we can only sell wholesale the fruit for 16 Euro cents per kilo, or 9 US cents per pound, so economics have to take precedent.
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Uncle Spike's Adventures 
Can you pick the fruits out and artificially ripen them?
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I guess, but the whole point here is we have 300 days of sun, so sun-ripening is a must, plus I reckon Clementines in particular would over-soften once picked as they are quite delicate in structure. But, as long as we keep the situation in check we have only a modest problem, so no major worries.
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They do taste better ripened by the sun!
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Learn something new everyday Thanks!
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Sometimes you must do what you have to do.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
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Here’s hoping the pests stay away! What terrible damage they do. I could hardly believe the photo.
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On our worst year we saw over 2 tonnes of fruit just rot on the floor 😦
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Oh my goodness Spike that is so terrible! It must be absolutely heart breaking to watch your crop disintegrate before your very eyes.
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Such is life…
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I grew up on a Canadian farm. when the hail came such was life as you say. Although farmers here have insurance or can take out insurance if they choose.
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How about covering some of the fruit, or fake plastic sphere, with tangle glue to catch the flies when they land on them?
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On a commercial scale it’s too big a task (we have 250 trees). But in a similar manner, the treatment is to spray a small section of the tree, say 1 square metre, on the south-west shoulder, with a special insecticide mixed with a sticky synthesised grape molasses which attracts them.
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