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USDA os Ani Animaland i Service Plant Health Inspection i US. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1 Pest Alert e European Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cerasi) Adult European cherry fruit fly (Biopix, S.D. Lund, www.biopix.com) European cherry fruit fly is the most or shriveled. As mature larvae emerge Appearance and Life Cycle serious pest of cherries in Europe. The from the fruit, they may leave behind fly attacks ripening fruit, causing it to rot visible exit holes. Adult flies range in length from 1/8 to and fall off the tree. In heavily infested 3/16 of an inch (3.5-4.0 millimeters). Both If European cherry fruit fly becomes males and females are mostly black with areas, the fly can destroy up to 100 percent established in the United States, it could yellow to orange heads. A large yellow dot of cherry and other host plants if left affect U.S. access to foreign cherry markets is visible on their backs. The wings are uncontrolled. and cause lower prices and economic transparent with dark bands. Distribution losses for U.S. cherry growers. Adults typically emerge from May to European cherry fruit fly is found Host Range and At-Risk Areas July and have an average lifespan of 2 throughout Europe and in parts of of the United States to 4 weeks. Females usually lay one egg West and Central Asia. In 2016, Canada beneath the skin of each piece of fruit. confirmed this pest on wild honeysuckle at European cherry fruit fly prefers sweet Once they hatch from the eggs, the larvae several sites in Ontario. In 2017, the United cherries and honeysuckle, but may also develop inside the fruit and feed for up States found European cherry fruit fly on attack tart cherries. If this pest establishes to 6 weeks. As the larvae develop, they traps hung in wild honeysuckle plants itself in New York and spreads to other damage the fruit pulp. Mature larvae exit and sweet cherry trees along the Niagara parts of the country, it could threaten the fruit through emergence holes, drop to River in New York. This was the first U.S. commercial cherry production along the the ground, and burrow into the soil. Once detection of European cherry fruit fly. Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, and in the soil, they pupate within a few days Washington), in the Northeast (Maryland, and overwinter in the soil underneath or Damage New York, and Pennsylvania), and in near the host plant. several Western and Central States European cherry fruit fly attacks only the (Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, and fruit of its host plants. Larvae-infested fruit Utah). may have dark soft spots or appear wilted USDA is an equaliopportunity provider, employer, and lender. PPQ=18-001 | Revised February 2025