Hawthorn fruit fly

Systematic position: The species belongs to the order Diptera, family Tephritidae. It is a specialized insect primarily associated with plants within the Rosaceae family.

Host plants: The primary host is the hawthorn, but the pest also infests various fruit trees, including apples, pears, and occasionally rowan berries, posing a risk to commercial and domestic orchards.

Biology and life cycle: The insect undergoes complete metamorphosis. Adult females lay eggs directly beneath the skin of developing fruits. Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into the fruit pulp, where they feed throughout their developmental stages until they are ready to pupate.

Damage and impact: The damage is primarily caused by larval feeding, which destroys the fruit tissue. Affected fruits often ripen prematurely, show signs of rot, and are highly susceptible to secondary fungal infections, leading to significant yield losses.

Protection measures: Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for controlling this species.

• rigorous sanitation, including the removal of fallen fruit;
• soil cultivation in the canopy area to disturb pupae;
• application of appropriate insecticides during the adult flight period;
• use of sticky traps for population monitoring and timing of treatments.