Ceratitis

Ceratitis is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae. Species in this genus are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world and are characterized by often distinctive wing patterns and larval feeding on plant fruits. The genus includes many described species with varying degrees of agricultural importance.

The best known member is Ceratitis capitata, the Mediterranean fruit fly or medfly. It is a highly polyphagous pest whose larvae develop inside a wide range of fruits and some vegetables, causing direct yield losses and making quarantine and eradication programs common in affected regions. Other Ceratitis species also hold pest status in certain areas, particularly in Africa and nearby regions, where species such as Ceratitis cosyra, Ceratitis rosa, and Ceratitis fasciventris occur and can affect fruit crops to varying extents.

Biology commonly involves adults laying eggs on or into ripening fruit, with larvae that feed within the fruit flesh. The life cycle can be rapid under warm conditions, enabling multiple generations per year in suitable climates. Because of their economic impact, management strategies emphasize integrated pest management, including sanitation to remove infested fruit, pheromone- and bait-based trapping, biological control, sterile insect technique, and strict quarantine measures to prevent spread.

Taxonomy within Ceratitis is subject to ongoing study, with researchers using morphology and molecular methods to delineate species boundaries and understand evolutionary relationships. Overall, Ceratitis comprises numerous species of agricultural relevance, with a few causing significant crop damage in warm regions.