Apple Maggot Fly
Rhagoletis pomonella
This record describes Rhagoletis pomonella (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
native to North America; see Hood et al. (2013)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts include apples, cherries, and hawthorns.
Life History
One generation a year. Adults emerge mid-Jun, with peak emergence in Jul‒Aug. Some larvae don't mature until a year later.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh 1867)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Rhagoletis pomonella. 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 Apple Maggot Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Aaron Schusteff , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Maggot Fly
Where is Apple Maggot Fly found?
Range: native to North America; see Hood et al. (2013)
What does Apple Maggot Fly eat?
The diet of the Apple Maggot Fly includes Hosts include apples, cherries, and hawthorns..
What is the life cycle of a Apple Maggot Fly?
One generation a year. Adults emerge mid-Jun, with peak emergence in Jul‒Aug. Some larvae don't mature until a year later.