Apple maggot

Apple Maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, known for its destructive impact on apples. It is native to North America and has been an agricultural pest since the 19th century.

Description

The apple maggot is a small fly, about a quarter inch long, similar in appearance to a housefly. The adults have distinctive black and white bands on their abdomen and a white spot on their thorax, which is the section between the head and the abdomen. The larvae, or maggots, are creamy white, legless, and can reach up to half an inch in length.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the apple maggot begins when the adult female lays her eggs inside the fruit of the apple tree. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the apple, causing it to become brown and mushy. After two to three weeks, the larvae drop to the ground and pupate in the soil. They emerge as adults the following summer, ready to mate and lay eggs.

Impact on Apple Crops

The apple maggot is a significant pest of apple crops in North America. The damage caused by the larvae feeding on the fruit makes the apples unsuitable for sale or consumption. In addition to apples, the apple maggot can also infest other fruits such as pears and cherries.

Control

Control of the apple maggot involves a combination of methods. These include the use of insecticides, the removal of infested fruit, and the use of traps to catch adult flies. Biological control methods, such as the introduction of natural predators or parasites, are also used.

See Also

• Fruit fly
• Agricultural pest
• Biological control