Fruit fly in South Australia - What do fruit fly and maggots look like? Q&A
Channel: Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Date: 2021-12-09

Find out what fruit flies and maggots look like up close.

In South Australia there are two main species - Queensland fruit fly (native to Eastern states)  and Mediterranean fruit fly (from Western Australia) (Qfly and Medfly). The Qfly are brown and waspish looking whilst the Medfly are much more colourful, smaller and rounder. (3-5mm)

Maggots of both species look similar - less than 1cm long. Creamy white and they can jump! If you see any maggots, seal the fruit in a plastic bag and call our Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010

If you see a fruit fly in your garden it is probably one of the sterile ones we've released. If you can catch it seal it in a plastic bag and call our Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.