Fig shoot fly

The Fig shoot fly (Silba ficiperda) is a dipterous insect belonging to the Lonchaeidae family. This species is recognized as a significant pest of fig trees (Ficus carica), posing a direct threat to both fresh fruit production and dried fig processing industries in Mediterranean and temperate climates.

This pest specifically targets fig fruits. The adult flies are attracted to the volatile substances emitted by ripening figs. They typically utilize the ostiole (the small opening at the base of the fruit) to deposit eggs, which allows larvae to penetrate the fruit interior without significant external obstruction.

The biological cycle of Silba ficiperda is tightly synchronized with the development of the fig fruit. Once the larvae emerge inside the syconium, they feed on the internal tissues, causing the pulp to decompose. Pupation usually occurs either within the infested fruit or in the soil beneath the host plant.

Damage symptoms are often characterized by internal rotting, the presence of larvae inside the fig, and the early dropping of infected fruit. In many cases, secondary infections caused by fungi or bacteria exacerbate the damage, making the fruits inedible and causing substantial economic losses for growers.

Management strategies for the Fig shoot fly rely on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach:

• Strict sanitation protocols including the frequent removal and destruction of all infested or fallen fruits to interrupt the pest cycle.
• Deployment of food-based or pheromone traps to monitor adult flight activity and suppress population numbers.
• Judicious use of chemical control methods during the peak egg-laying periods, while respecting the pre-harvest interval (PHI) for consumer safety.
• Promoting healthy orchard conditions to minimize the susceptibility of the crop to infestation.