European cherry fruit fly is the most 

serious pest of cherries in Europe. 

The fly attacks ripening fruit, causing 

it to rot and fall off the tree. In heavily 

infested areas, the fly can destroy up to 

100 percent of cherry and other host 

plants if left uncontrolled. 

Distribution

European cherry fruit fly is found 

throughout Europe and in parts of West 

and Central Asia. In 2016, Canada 

confirmed this pest on wild honeysuckle 

at several sites in Ontario. In 2017, 

the United States found European 

cherry fruit fly on traps hung in wild 

honeysuckle plants and sweet cherry 

trees along the Niagara River in New 

York. This was the first U.S. detection of 

European cherry fruit fly. 

Damage

European cherry fruit fly attacks only 

the fruit of its host plants. Larvaeinfested fruit may have dark soft spots 

or appear wilted or shriveled. As mature 

larvae emerge from the fruit, they may 

leave behind visible exit holes. 

If European cherry fruit fly becomes 

established in the United States, it 

could affect U.S. access to foreign 

cherry markets and cause lower prices 

and economic losses for U.S. cherry 

growers.

Host Range and At-Risk Areas 

of the United States

European cherry fruit fly prefers sweet 

cherries and honeysuckle, but may 

also attack tart cherries. If this pest 

establishes itself in New York and 

spreads to other parts of the country, 

it could threaten commercial cherry 

production along the Pacific Coast 

(California, Oregon, and Washington), in 

the Northeast (Maryland, New York, and 

Pennsylvania), and in several Western 

and Central States (Colorado, Michigan, 

New Mexico, and Utah).

Appearance and Life Cycle

Adult flies range in length from 1/8 to 

3/16 of an inch (3.5–4.0 millimeters). 

Both males and females are mostly 

black with yellow to orange heads. A 

large yellow dot is visible on their backs. 

The wings are transparent with dark 

bands.

Adults typically emerge from May to 

July and have an average lifespan of 

2 to 4 weeks. Females usually lay one 

egg beneath the skin of each piece of 

fruit. Once they hatch from the eggs, 

the larvae develop inside the fruit and 

feed for up to 6 weeks. As the larvae 

develop, they damage the fruit pulp. 

Mature larvae exit the fruit through 

emergence holes, drop to the ground, 

and burrow into the soil. Once in the 

soil, they pupate within a few days and 

overwinter in the soil underneath or 

near the host plant.

Preventing Fruit Fly Spread

When U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) or State agriculture officials find 

an infestation of invasive fruit flies that 

could damage crops in this country, 

State regulatory officials first establish 

an intrastate quarantine to prevent the 

pest’s spread within that State. USDA 

then establishes a parallel interstate 

quarantine to keep the pest from 

Adult European cherry fruit fly (Biopix, S.D. Lund, www.biopix.com)

Pest Alert Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

European Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cerasi)

United States Department of Agriculture
spreading to other States. Together, 

these quarantines allow State and 

Federal officials to control and suppress 

the outbreak locally and regulate the 

movement of host fruits, nursery plants, 

and other items that could harbor the 

pest. These efforts help protect growers 

in other vulnerable parts of the country. 

What You Can Do

Please cooperate with agricultural 

workers who may be in your area 

surveying for the pest. In areas where 

the pest has been found, agricultural 

workers may request approval from the 

property owner to apply treatment to 

prevent the spread. Know and follow 

any quarantine restrictions in fruit flyinfested areas. 

PPQ-18-001

Issued November 2017

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

When traveling, declare all food, live 

animals, and plant or animal products 

to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

officer or agriculture specialist at the 

first port of entry. If your items are 

generally allowed, the inspector will 

check them to make sure they are free 

from pests and disease. 

If you travel to Canada, be advised that 

you may not bring cherries from Ontario 

into the United States. Cherries from 

other Canadian provinces are allowed 

if they are accompanied by a receipt or 

other document that confirms the fruit’s 

origin. For more information, view the 

Federal Order: www.aphis.usda.gov/

import_export/plants/plant_imports/

federal_order/downloads/2017/DA2017-15.pdf.

Learn More

To learn more, visit USDA’s exotic fruit 

fly Web site (www.aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/ff) or contact:

• The New York State Integrated 

Pest Management Program

nysipm.cornell.edu/agriculture/

fruits

• Your local Extension office

nifa.usda.gov/Extension

• Your State department of 

agriculture

www.nationalplantboard.org/

membership

• The nearest USDA Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service 

office 

www.aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/

sphd