About the pest
- Attacks a range of soft skinned fruit species
- Egg deposition and larval feeding can occur in maturing, firm fruit
- Small (2-3 mm in length) flies with yellow-brown colouring, dark bands on the abdomens and red eyes
- Males have a dark spot on the tip of their forewings
- Larvae feed internally on fruit, are cream coloured and about 3 mm long
- Secondary infections can occur at egg laying sites, leading to fruit rot
- Flies spread throughout crops by flight or longer distances with infested plant material
More information
Spotted wing drosophila (Plant Health Australia)