Description

Adult

Length of 4 to 5.5 mm. Main colour is yellowish with brown tinges. Lower corners of face with white setae. Ocellar bristles present. Male does not have a pair of bristles with enlarged spatulate tips near the inner margins of eyes (like C. capitata). Thorax creamy yellow with dark blotches. Arista of antenna plumose. Scutellum with 3 black areas.

Larvae

White, cylindrical with anterior end narrowed with mouth hooks. Last instar is 7-9 mm in length. Subapical tooth present on mandible.

Eggs

Eggs are smooth, white and long and slender.

Distribution

Eastern and southern Africa

Economic Host(s)

A range of fruits including peach (Prunus), guava (Psidium), apple (Malus) and citrus.

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