Western Cherry Fruit Fly
Rhagoletis indifferens
This record describes Rhagoletis indifferens (species). Recorded family: Tephritidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
It used to be considered a subspecies of R. cingulata
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
from Idaho and Washington southward into California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: fruits of Rosaceae ( Prunus emarginata & 5 other spp.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Curran, 1932
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Rhagoletis indifferens. 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 Western Cherry Fruit Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Cherry Fruit Fly
What is Western Cherry Fruit Fly?
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens) is a species in the family Tephritidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Western Cherry Fruit Fly found?
Range: from Idaho and Washington southward into California
What does Western Cherry Fruit Fly eat?
The diet of the Western Cherry Fruit Fly includes fruits of Rosaceae ( Prunus emarginata & 5 other spp.).