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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Newark, Delaware » Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403239
Research Project: Biological Control for Management of Invasive Pest Management, Emphasizing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila and other Invasive Insect Pests of Crops

Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit

Title: Biology, ecology and invasiveness of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata: a review

Author
item GIUNTI, GIULIA - University Of Salerno
item BENELLI, GIOVANNI - University Of Pisa
item CAMPOLO, ORLANDO - Mediterranean University Of Reggio Calabria
item CANALE, ANGELO - University Of Pisa
item KAPRANAS, APOSTOLOS - Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki
item LIEDO, PABLO - El Colegio De La Frontera Sur (ECOSUR)
item MEYER, MARC DE - Royal Museum For Central Africa
item NESTEL, DAVID - Volcani Center (ARO)
item RUIU, LUCA - University Of Sassari
item SCOLARI, FRANCESCA - Institute Of Molecular Genetics Igm-Cnr
item Wang, Xingeng
item PAPADOPOULOS, NIKOS - University Of Thessaly

Submitted to: Entomologia Generalis
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2023
Publication Date: 12/7/2023
Citation: Giunti, G., Benelli, G., Campolo, O., Canale, A., Kapranas, A., Liedo, P., Meyer, M., Nestel, D., Ruiu, L., Scolari, F., Wang, X., Papadopoulos, N. 2023. Biology, ecology and invasiveness of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata: a review. Entomologia Generalis. 43:1221-1239. https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2023/2135.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2023/2135

Interpretive Summary: The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) is a key fruit pest in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, medfly has invaded many regions including Hawaii and most of South America. There are constant threats of invasion by this pest in southern US states because of its northward expansion. Despite a long history of research to better understand its biology and management, sustainable control of medfly is still challenging due to its wide host range, extreme invasiveness, high eradication and containment costs, and development of insecticide resistance. Until now a comprehensive review examining all facets of medfly bioecology has been lacking. We analyzed available knowledge on the morphology, taxonomy, biology, ecology, and genomics of the medfly, and provide an updated synthesis of its distribution and invasiveness. We also discussed future challenges for understanding medfly bioecology and invasiveness. A better understanding of the biology, ecology and invasiveness of medfly will help in planning surveillance and IPM programs whenever this pest invades the U.S.

Technical Abstract: The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, is a highly polyphagous pest that is economically important for fruit production in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. It is considered a cosmopolitan pest due to its extreme invasiveness and has established populations in all continents except Antarctica. The medfly’s broad range of host plants and distinctive biological, behavioral, and genetic traits help it easily adapt to and colonize novel environments. This review provides an overview of the specific characteristics of this species and its current distribution and invasiveness. It also outlines future challenges for medfly bioecology and invasiveness.