QLD fruit fly Vs Medfly (Mediterranean)

[Mark]

Here's the difference between the Queensland fruit fly (native to QLD) and the Mediterranean fruit fly, which is an introduced species.

I found both species attacking my pomegranate fruits today and thought I'd snap a pic of them - little buggers

The images aren't the best but the first one is the QLD fruit fly easily distinguished by the yellow markings on the brown body and stinger in the abdomen.

And, the Medfly has an orange coloured body with dark wings and spots.

 

[stevo]

Do they have similar behaviour? Like attacking the same things?

 

[Mark]

In my backyard it does seem like they do attack the same fruits but the QLD fruit fly is the most dominant by far and this is one of just a few Mediterranean fruit flies I have seen actually.

I wonder if the QLD fruit fly being native is out competing the Medfly?

 

[Kasalia]

I don't think I have actually seen fruit flys, great photos to reference with now. I am hoping what I think is native bees are still native bees lol

 

[Mark]

Yeah native bees are very welcome in my garden but fruit fly can go party somewhere else!

 

[Ash]

Can we join some sort of fruit fly eradication co-op?

 

[Jnel]

Fruit fly beat me to my peaches every year!

 

[Mark]

Yes same here... the only way is to net stone fruit unfortunately

 

[Jnel]

I've been told fruit fly can infect at flower stage, so when is the best time to net ?

 

[Mark]

Fruit fly generally sting ripening fruit because it gives the larvae the best chance of developing.

Most of the time when fruit fly does sting hard green fruit the maggot won't survive. However, fruit fly strike can induce early fruit drop in unripe produce still developing on the tree/plant.

The best time to net is straight after flowering or just as the fruit is starting to grow.

 

[Logan]

I know this article is old, but I was surprised to read there was medfly outside of WA. However on closer inspection it looks like the second fly attacking the pomegranite is another species - Island Fly ( Dirioxa pornia Walker), apparently a native which go for rotted fruit only. I'd not heard of them before till just now.

Compare the photos in these two pages:
Island Fly: https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/285531/Island_Fly_in_Citrus_Fact_Sheet.pdf
MedFly: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity...ultural-pests/medfly-mediterranean-fruit-fly/

I came across your article when I was trying ID a fly I had seen in my vegie garden, but it turned out to be something other again, a harmless local - https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_acalyptrata/Dotted-Wing.htm

 

[Mark]

It seems like you might be right there! Good pick up.

Unfortunately, the Island fly also infests fruits so I guess it's still a pest regardless even if not as destructive as the QLD fruit fly.