Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly
Rhagoletis cingulata
This record describes Rhagoletis cingulata (species). Recorded family: Tephritidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Tephritoidea
- Family
- Tephritidae (Fruit Flies)
- Subfamily
- Trypetinae
- Tribe
- Carpomyini
- Genus
- Rhagoletis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Canada to central Mexico, invasive in Europe; in our area, QC‒FL to MI‒IA‒TX‒AZ
Diet and Behavior
Diet: fruits of Rosaceae ( Prunus serotina [primary native host] and 6 other spp.)
Life History
Adults emerge from the ground when cherries are half grown, feed on moisture on leaves and fruits, lay up to 400 eggs. Larvae hatch in 5‒8 days, tunnel to the surface of the seed, and pass through 3 instars in ~11 days at 77°F.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew 1862)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Rhagoletis cingulata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly
How big is Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly?
4‒5 mm
Where is Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly found?
Range: Canada to central Mexico, invasive in Europe; in our area, QC‒FL to MI‒IA‒TX‒AZ
What does Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly eat?
The diet of the Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly includes fruits of Rosaceae ( Prunus serotina [primary native host] and 6 other spp.).
What is the life cycle of a Eastern Cherry Fruit Fly?
Adults emerge from the ground when cherries are half grown, feed on moisture on leaves and fruits, lay up to 400 eggs. Larvae hatch in 5‒8 days, tunnel to the surface of the seed, and pass through 3 instars in ~11 days at 77°F.