Melon Fruit Fly

Description:

Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1849), called Melon Fruit Fly or Melon Fly, is a fruit fly of the family Tephritidae Newman, 1834. It is a serious agricultural pest. The adult melon fly is 6 to 8 mm in length. Distinctive characteristics include its wing pattern, its long third antennal segment, the reddish yellow dorsum of the thorax with light yellow markings, and the yellowish head with black spots. Some fruit flies show Batesian mimicry, bearing the colors and markings of dangerous insects such as wasps because it helps the fruit flies to avoid predation, even though the flies lack stingers.

Habitat:

Backyard garden.

Notes:

Reference: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/frui... http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop...