Fruit fly Anastrepha striata

Systematic position. Anastrepha striata is a species of dipteran insect in the family Tephritidae (fruit flies). It is widely recognized as a major economic pest in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, impacting both subsistence and commercial agriculture.

Host crops. This pest primarily targets guava (Psidium guajava), but it is also known to infest mangoes, sapodillas, and various citrus fruits. Because of its wide range of host plants, it poses a significant threat to biodiversity and export stability in affected regions.

Biology and life cycle. The life cycle comprises four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Females use their ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin of ripening fruit. The larvae tunnel through the pulp as they grow, and upon maturity, they exit the fruit to pupate in the soil beneath the host plant.

Nature of damage and pest status. The damage caused by Anastrepha striata is primarily internal. Larval feeding destroys the fruit pulp, making the produce inedible and prone to premature fruit drop. Heavy infestations can lead to substantial yield losses, sometimes reaching up to 80-100% in unprotected orchards.

• Sanitary management, including the collection and deep burial of infested fallen fruit.
• Implementation of monitoring programs using pheromone-baited or protein-based traps.
• Application of bait sprays, which minimize the environmental impact compared to cover sprays.
• Enforcement of strict quarantine regulations to prevent the spread of infested fruit to new areas.
• Biological control through the release of braconid wasps that parasitize the fly larvae.