Medfly damages ripening fruit grown in backyards and orchards between summer and winter. Knowledge of Medfly habits and requirements is an important part of conducting effective control and minimising  damage to fruit.

Medfly life stages

Female flies lay groups of 10−14 eggs into the skin of the fruit (generally about 300 eggs during their life time!!).

The eggs hatch within a few days and the emerging maggots or larvae feed on the fruit pulp. Medfly maggots take 7−24 days to mature, before they make their way to the surface of the fruit, drop to the ground and tunnel into the soil to pupate, before becoming flying adults.

Adult flies emerge within 8−46 days forcing their way to the surface of the soil. The newly emerged adults require about 3−5 days to mature before they can lay eggs.

Information and tips

• Infosheet – Medfly lifecycle stages
• Infosheet – Who wants to grow rotten fruit?
• Infosheet – Medfly and fruit abundance