Fruit Fly (specifically Tephritid fruit fly)
Scientific Name: Anastrepha spp.
Order & Family: Order: Diptera; Family: Tephritidae
Size: 3 to 10 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found in agricultural areas, orchards, and urban gardens with fruiting plants.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on the pulp of developing fruits; adults feed on honeydew, nectar, and bird droppings.
Behavior Patterns
Adults are active during the day and have distinct wing-waving displays used in courtship. Females use the long ovipositor to pierce fruit skin and lay eggs inside.
Risks & Benefits
Major agricultural pests that cause significant damage to fruit crops worldwide; they pose no direct physical risk to humans but can have massive economic impacts.
Identified on: 2/20/2026