Mediterranean fruit fly

noun

1. a small, black and white, irregularly banded two-winged fly, Ceratitis capitata, of many warm regions, that damages citrus and other succulent fruit crops by implanting eggs that hatch into maggots within the fruit.

Mediterranean fruit fly

noun

1. Also called: medfly. a species of dipterous fly, Ceratitis capitata, having marbled wings, whose maggots tunnel into fruits such as citrus, peach, and vine in the Mediterranean area, South Africa, and elsewhere: family Trypetidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mediterranean fruit fly¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

The Mediterranean fruit fly, often known as the “Medfly”, is one of the most serious threats faced by farmers worldwide.

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Pests, like the Mediterranean fruit fly she once found, could cost the US billions of dollars if they infiltrate the country.

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In addition to the four incised onto stamps, the insect rogues’ gallery includes the red imported fire ant, the Mediterranean fruit fly and the Formosan subterranean termite.

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Agriculture officials declare a Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine for a swath of western Riverside County.

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However, it lays eggs in the young of the Mediterranean fruit fly, and the wasp larvae eat the young fly, according to university researchers.

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