Rhagoletis cerasi

This species is widespread in most of Europe, except British Islands, in western Siberia to Caucasus, in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and Altai.[2] It was first detected in North America in 2016.[3]

Rhagoletis cerasi can reach a body length of about 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in).[4] These small fruit flies have a shiny body, dark brown, almost black. Mesonotum shows silvery vittae. The wings are transparent, with four transverse dark stripes.[4] Eyes are green with reddish reflections. The head is brown, while scutellum and the legs are yellow. [5]

This species is very similar to Rhagoletis berberidis. [5]

The adults can be found from late May to early July.[4] They feed on the sugary secretions produced by the cherry itself or by insects (such as the aphid honeydew). After 10–15 days the females lay 50-80 eggs[4] one at a time in the pulp of the fruit. After 6–12 days[4] the eggs hatch and white legless larvae 4–6 mm long[4] come out and feed on the pulp of the fruit. During the ripening the larvae leave the fruit and pupate in the soil,[4] where they overwinter. Usually this species have one generation every 1–2 years.[4]

These fruit flies are considered a major pest of cherry crops [6] in Europe and Asia. They damage also the fruits of apricot, honeysuckle, barberry, bird cherry and snowberry.

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  Drawing of cherry fruit fly
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  Larva in a cherry fruit
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  Imago

• Les Insectes (in French)
• Kirschfruchtfliege (in German)
• Species Profile: European Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cerasi), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library

• Luigi Masutti, Sergio Zangheri, Entomologia generale e applicata, Padova, CEDAM, 2001, p. 745-746, ISBN 88-13-23135-0. (in Italian)
• Mario Ferrari, Elena Marcon; Andrea Menta, Fitopatologia, Entomologia agraria e biologia applicata, 3rd ed., Bologna, Calderini Edagricole, 2000, ISBN 88-206-4159-3. (in Italian)