Black cherry fruitfly
(Rhagoletis fausta)

Overview

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The species Rhagoletis fausta is commonly known as the black cherry fruit fly and can be found in the Eastern and Western Canada. The black cherry fruit fly commonly infests native bird cherry or fire cherry; however, the potential is there for the species to cause damage to other varieties of cherry trees, especially when a poor management of the pest has taken place.

Main description

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The adult black cherry fruit fly emerges at the end of May and typically has a black abdomen. The eggs of the R. fausta are milky white and hatch approximately within 5 days after laying; however, weather conditions play a role in the time. The larvae are milky white coloured and have no legs or a visible head.

Scouting

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A common method used for determining the level of infestation of black cherry fruit fly requires the use of baited fluorescent-yellow sticky boards. The use of these traps will allow for the estimation of the level of infestation and whether or not a treatment is required.