Host Plants of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), version 3.5

Authors: LIQUIDO, NICANOR - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); McQuate, Grant; HANLIN, MEGAN - North Carolina State University; SUITER, KARL - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: USDA CPHST Online Database
Publication Type: Literature Review
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2017
Publication Date: 9/5/2017
Citation: Liquido, N.J., Mcquate, G.T., Hanlin, M.A., Suiter, K.A. 2017. Host Plants of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), version 3.5. USDA CPHST Online Database. Available: https://coffhi.cphst.org/.

Interpretive Summary: The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is a tephritid fruit fly species native to Africa but now found in every country surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, in Central and South America, in Australia, in Hawaii and in other oceanic islands. USDA-APHIS regulates the interstate movement of the fruits and vegetables subject to infestation by Mediterranean fruit fly from all quarantine areas in the United States. Presented herein is a comprehensive update of the reported host plants of the Mediterranean fruit fly, developed to provide APHIS with recent scientific evidence on reported host plants from worldwide literature. Mediterranean fruit fly has validated records of infestation under natural field conditions in 362 fruit-bearing plant taxa belonging to 161 genera in 63 plant families which together constitute the list of federally regulated, suitable host plants of Mediterranean fruit fly. Plant families with the most suitable hosts of Mediterranean fruit fly are the citrus family (Rutaceae; 38 taxa), the tomato family (Solanaceae; 35 taxa), the rose family (Rosaceae; 34 taxa), and the Sapodilla family (Sapotaceae; 30 taxa). Additionally, there are 217 taxa, belonging to 132 genera in 57 plant families, with “undetermined host status” for Mediterranean fruit fly, for which further data is needed to assess their status as hosts. This document is a product of the “USDA Compendium of Fruit Fly Host Information (CoFFHI),” a Farm Bill Funded Project.

Technical Abstract: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), commonly known as the Mediterranean fruit fly, is a tephritid fruit fly species native to Africa but now found in every country surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, in Central and South America, in Australia, in Hawaii and in other oceanic islands. It is regulated through the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7701-7772) and relevant Parts and Subparts of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR – Agriculture). The host plants of C.capitata are listed therein, albeit incomplete and outdated, under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of §301.32-2 Regulated articles. In accordance with the provision stated in §301.32-2(d) that permits updating of the listing, presented herein is a comprehensive updated list of the suitable host plants of C.capitata, developed to provide APHIS with recent scientific evidence on reported host plants from worldwide literature. The 362 fruit-bearing plant taxa, belonging to 161 genera in 63 plant families reported as suitable hosts in this document have recorded infestations by C.capitata under natural field conditions. These plant species constitute the list of federally regulated, suitable host plants of C.capitata. This document also includes a list of 217 plant taxa belonging to 132 genera in 57 plant families with “undetermined host status” for C.capitata, for which further data is needed to assess their status as hosts. This document is a product of the “USDA Compendium of Fruit Fly Host Information (CoFFHI),” a Farm Bill Funded Project.