Anastrepha ludens

Anastrepha ludens
Anastrepha ludens on their preferred orange fruit habitat. The bottom right fly is a female as identified by long ovipositor. The fly in the middle of image is male.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Tephritidae
Genus: Anastrepha
Species:
A. ludens
Binomial name
Anastrepha ludens
Loew, 1873
Synonyms
  • Acrotoxa ludens
  • Anastrepha lathana
  • Trypeta ludens

Anastrepha ludens, the Mexican fruit fly or Mexfly,[1] is a species of fly of the Anastrepha genus in the Tephritidae family (fruit flies). It is closely related to the Caribbean fruit fly Anastrepha suspensa, and the papaya fruit fly Anastrepha curvicauda.[2]

Anastrepha ludens is native to Mexico and Central America and is a major pest to citrus and mango agriculture in Mexico, Central America, and the lower Rio Grande Valley.[2] The species exhibits high fecundity and relatively long lifespans compared to other species of fruit flies.[3] These qualities make the Mexican fruit fly a particularly aggressive invasive species, especially threatening agriculture because the larvae grow and feed on many different species of fruit.[4] The Anastrepha genus is designated as one of three genera that pose the greatest risk to American agriculture.[5] According to the USDA, A. ludens is the only important member of the Anastrepha genus that is subtropical instead of tropical and thus has a range much further North than most Anastrepha species.[2] Also the USDA estimates that the Mexfly causes $1.44 billion worth of damage in a 5-year time span, mostly to citrus farms.[6] They are frequently designated as an invasive species in Southern California and Arizona and pose a serious threat to Florida's grapefruit agriculture.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NAPPO-Texas-mexfly-relax was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Stone was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Aluja, M. (1994). "Bionomics and Management of Anastrepha". Annual Review of Entomology. 39 (39): 155–178. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.39.010194.001103.
  4. ^ a b Weens Jr., H.V.; Heppner, J.B.; Gary J., Steck. "Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens)". Featured Creatures Entomology & Nematology Department. University of Florida. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  5. ^ United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection Program (May 2019). "Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection Strategic Plan FY 2019-2023" (PDF): 1–18. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "The Mexican Fruit Fly". Citrus Alert. Retrieved 2019-12-04.