Morphology of immature stages of the black fig fly Silba adipata (Diptera, Lonchaeidae)

Abstract

The black fig fly Silba adipata is an exotic and invasive pest of figs in several producing areas of Mexico. The larvae of this species feed on the internal tissue of the syconium, causing rot and premature drop. In addition to S. adipata, other species of fruit flies can be associated with figs in Mexico. Therefore the recognition of their immature stages is useful for plant health inspection procedures and timely management decisions. This study aimed to describe the egg, larva (L3) and puparium stages of S. adipata, provide photographic material for their recognition and discuss the most important external morphological characteristics to differentiate them from Zaprionus indianus and Anastrepha ludens and discriminated amongst other species of Diptera of the Drosophilidae and Tephritidae families associated with figs.

Keywords

• fruit flies
• <i>Ficus carica</i>
• quarantine pests