Description

Adult

Wing length 4-6 mm. Body and wing colour yellowish. Sides and posterior of thorax prominently ringed with black spots. Thoracic dorsum with 2 small spots centrally and 2 larger pots near scutellum. Apex of scutellum with broken spots.

Larvae

White, cylindrical with anterior end narrowed with mouth hooks. Last instar is 7-9 mm in length. Anterior spiracles are usually straight on dorsal edge of tubule row.

Eggs

Eggs are smooth, white and long and slender.

Distribution

Restricted to sub-Saharan Africa.

Economic Host(s)

Marula (Sclerocarya) and mango (Mangifera) are the main hosts.

Symptoms/Signs

Females puncture the fruits to lay eggs beneath the skin surface. Some sugary fruits will produce a sugary exudate at puncture holes. Puncture holes may also show signs of necrosis.

Generations:

4-7