The oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) is a highly destructive pest of fruit crops. It has a wide host range including nearly 500 fruits and vegetables, but is most commonly found attacking avocado, mango and papaya. Females live 1-3 months and can produce 1,500 eggs in her lifetime. She may lay up to 20 eggs in a single fruit. As the larvae develop, they cause severe feeding damage and rotting of the fruit, which is typical of most fruit fly pests.
![](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/files/2018/01/oriental-fruit-fly-Merle-Shepard-Gerald-R.Carner-and-P.A.C-Ooi-Insects-and-their-Natural-Enemies-Associated-with-Vegetables-and-Soybean-in-Southeast-Asia-Bugwood.org-5368113-e1516307492234-242x300.jpg)
Adult oriental fruit flies are predominantly black, or a mixture of black and yellow. The scutellum (the posterior end of the thorax) is characteristically yellow.
![](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/files/2018/01/oriental-fruit-fly-Pest-and-Diseases-Image-Library-Bugwood.org_-e1516307385489-300x211.jpg)
For more information on oriental fruit flies, check out this Featured Creature article by Weems et al. (1999).