United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

Plant 

Protection 

and 

Quarantine

New Pest Response 

Guidelines

Rhagoletis cerasi (Linnaeus)

European Cherry Fruit Fly
2018-03 R. cerasi ii

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Department of Agriculture over others not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of 

any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to provide 

specific information.

This publication reports research involving pesticides. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate 

state and/or federal agencies before they can be recommended.

CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other 

wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow 

recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers.

First Edition Issued 2017
2018-03 R. cerasi iii

Contents

Figures and Tables iv

1. Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.

2. Pest at a Glance Error! Bookmark not defined.

3. Pest Overview Error! Bookmark not defined.

4. Pest Identification and Damage Error! Bookmark not defined.

5. Delimitation Survey Error! Bookmark not defined.

6. Control Procedures Error! Bookmark not defined.

7. Research Needs Error! Bookmark not defined.

Literature Cited References-1

Appendix A: Chronology of Action A-1

Appendix B: Rhagoletis cerasi Action Plan Summary B-1

Appendix C: Instructions for Fruit and Vegetable Growers inside the Fruit 

Fly Quarantine Area C-1

Appendix D: Current Grower Practices in Place for Other Cherry Pests 

D-1

Authors and Reviewers Authors-1

R. cerasi
2018-03 R. cerasi iv

Figures and Tables

Figures

Figure 3-1 Density map of combined hosts (sweet and sour cherries) depicting 

possible host areas for R. cerasi to establish in the continental 

United States 3-8

Figure 4-1 Rhagoletis cerasi female 4-1

Figure 4-2 Rhagoletis cerasi male 4-2

Figure 4-3 Rhagoletis cerasi male and female mating 4-2

Figure 4-4 Newly hatched R. cerasi larvae with an empty eggshell and an egg 

shortly to hatch 4-3

Figure 4-5 Rhagoletis cerasi pupae 4-4

Figure 4-6 Damage inside cherry from R. cerasi pupae 4-4

Figure 4-7 Exit holes from R. cerasi 4-5

Figure 4-8 Rhagoletis cingulata adult 4-5

Figure 4-9 Rhagoletis indifferens adult 4-6

Figure 4-10 Rhagoletis fausta adult 4-6

Figure 5-1 Array pattern for placing the traps in the field: (C) core area; (1) 8 

square miles around the core area; (2) next 16 square miles outward; 

(3) next 24 square miles and (4) outermost 32 square miles 5-3

Tables

Table 3-1 List of reported plant hosts of R. cerasi 3-3

Table 3-2 Ecological range of R. cerasi 3-5

Table 5-1 Trap distribution, density and total number of traps in the array areas 

5-3

Table 6-1 Example of Malathion and Nu-Lure® rates per 1-acre application 

6-7

Table C-1 Example of Malathion and Nu-Lure® rates per 1-acre application 

R. cerasi
2018-03 R. cerasi v

C-3
2018-03 R. cerasi 1-1

1. Introduction

New Pest Response Guidelines (NPRGs) are developed by Plant Protection and 

Quarantine (PPQ) in preparation for the plant health emergencies that occur when 

a new pest with the potential to seriously impact U.S. plant resources arrives in 

the U.S.

The purpose of an NPRG is to provide the basic information likely to be needed 

by the initial PPQ response team in the first 30 to 60 days following a detection of 

the pest in the U.S.

This guideline for European cherry fruit fly (ECFF), R. cerasi (Linnaeus),

includes the following:

♦ Summary of relevant pest biology 

♦ Guide to identification or screening for the pest in the field

♦ Preliminary method for conducting a delimiting survey

♦ Eradication and control options

♦ Summary of knowledge gaps

Note: This document is based on the best information available at the time of 

development; however, at the time of the emergency new scientific and technical 

information may be identified. In addition, each pest incursion has unique, sitespecific characteristics that are impossible to predict. Therefore, this document 

should be considered a general guideline only. As the pest situation evolves and 

new information is gathered, the response implemented—including survey 

protocols—may need to be modified from the original recommendations.

Additional documentation in Appendix D includes specific information for 

grower host certification.

Chapter

1
2018-03 R. cerasi 2-1

2. Pest at a Glance

Pest Summary

Rhagoletis cerasi is univoltine and oligophagous (Boller and Prokopy, 1976) and

is considered an important and highly destructive pest of Prunus avium (L.) L.

(sweet cherries) in Europe (Daniel and Baker, 2013; Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Larvae develop inside the cherries, and without effective control methods, 100 

percent of the fruit can be infested (Daniel and Baker, 2013; Fimiani, 1983). 

Justification

A photograph of a new fruit fly was taken in an urban park in Mississauga, 

Ontario, on 15 July 2015 (NAPPO, 2016). At the time, the fruit fly was tentatively 

identified as R. cerasi, and an initial detection survey was conducted by the 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). On 27 June 2016, the CFIA confirmed 

the detection of R. cerasi in association with Lonicera spp. (NAPPO, 2016).

Key Information

♦ Rhagoletis cerasi has a limited host range, infesting only Prunus spp. and 

Lonicera spp. (Daniel and Grunder, 2012)

♦ Without appropriate control measures, infestations can reach 100 percent,

which can reduce marketable yields (Alford, 2007; Daniel and Grunder, 

2012)

♦ Infested fruit damage tolerance levels in infested areas is typically set at 2 

percent of infested fruit. Additionally, infested fruit cannot be sorted out, 

therefore the whole lot is rejected if tolerance levels are exceeded (Daniel 

and Grunder, 2012)

Chapter

2
Pest at a Glance

2018-03 R. cerasi 2-2

Previous PPQ Pest Reports and Assessments1

♦ Objective Prioritization of Exotic Pests (OPEP) – completed

29 February 2016

♦ New Pest Advisory Group (NPAG) – full report completed 15 

April 2016

♦ Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) – updated 

October 2016

♦ Global Pest and Disease Database (GPDD) – last full review 9

March 2016

♦ PestLens Articles

 European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera: Tephritidae),

detected in Canada (14 July 2016)

 

1 As of 28 November 2016
2018-03 R. cerasi 3-1

3. Pest Overview

Pest Information

Scientific Name

♦ Rhagoletis cerasi (Linnaeus)

Taxonomic Position

♦ Animalia: Arthropoda: Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae

Synonym(s)

♦ Rhagoletis fasciata Rohdendorf, 1961

Common Names

♦ European cherry fruit fly

♦ cherry fruit fly

♦ cherry maggot

Biology and Ecology

Rhagoletis cerasi is a univoltine (one generation per year) and oligophagous

species with economic-pest status on sweet cherry. Its life cycle depends on the 

availability of Prunus and Lonicera spp. (honeysuckle) fruit (Daniel and Grunder, 

2012). Two putative genetic host races, distinguished by observed oviposition 

preference for P. avium or Lonicera xylosteum L., have been described by Boller

et al. (1998) in terms of phenological differences (the timing of adult emergence 

from pupae relative to the timing of the host fruit-development stage) and 

behavioral differences (plasticity of host choice by ovipositing females; 

sensitivity to the host-marking pheromone deposited on host fruit by females after 

oviposition). However, in looking for genetic differences between the two 

phenotypes, only one of six examined allozyme loci suggested genetically distinct 

Chapter

3
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-2

races (Schwarz et al., 2003). Infection by one or more strains of Wolbachia may 

contribute to genetic differences among geographically dispersed populations 

(putative genetically distinct northern and southern races) via reproductive 

isolation through the mechanism of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic 

incompatibility (Arthofer et al., 2009b; Riegler and Stauffer, 2002); although the 

potential contribution of other factors (geographic isolation; host distribution) has

not been refuted (Augustinos et al., 2014). For the objectives and audience of this 

NPRG, the difference in emergence time of adults from pupae that developed 

beneath cherry trees, relative to those that developed beneath honeysuckle bushes, 

may be the most relevant distinction for those charged with responding to 

detection of an introduction of R. cerasi in a newly-invaded landscape (see 

Timing of Surveys, below).

This species overwinters as diapausing pupae in soil proximal to the host (cherry 

or honeysuckle) (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). Maximum emergence of adults 

occurs after approximately 180 days at temperatures below 5 °C during a pupal 

hibernation period of 9–10 months (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). However, Moraiti

et al. (2014) showed that pupae collected from sites representing a wide range of 

host and climatic conditions accommodated varying temperature regimes through 

varying diapause duration. Fly emergence usually occurs from mid-May to midJune in southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria (latitudes 46–48 °N) when 

temperatures are above 15 °C. The emergence of adults from pupae in soil 

beneath Lonicera spp. lags a few days behind that of adults that emerge from 

pupae proximal to cherries (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Based on variation in fly fitness, larval nutrition, host phenology and ambient 

temperatures, the period of adult emergence, flight, mating and oviposition can 

range from 7–11 weeks. Estimates of the life span of adults in the field range from 

4–7 weeks (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Eggs are oviposited into host fruit (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). There are three 

instars between the egg and adult stages; larval development occurs in host fruit.

Embryonic development after oviposition into host fruit takes 2–10 days, 

depending on temperature. The duration of larval development varies with 

temperature and host quality. Larval development concludes when pre-pupal 

larvae emerge from host fruit, drop to proximal soil and burrow to a depth of 2 to

5 cm beneath the surface to pupate (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Rhagoletis cerasi overwinters in the pupal stage in soil beneath perennial hosts 

(cherry and honeysuckle) (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). The duration and success 

of pupal development and adult emergence are influenced by host nutritional 

quality during the larval stage and soil temperature. Most adults emerge at the 

conclusion of one cycle of winter diapause; however, for varying percentages of 
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-3

individuals, pupation continues through two or more winters, thus ensuring 

survival during years when cherry fruits are not produced (Daniel and Grunder, 

2012). This multiyear overwintering strategy should be considered when 

quarantine regulations are enacted.

Models exist for predicting adult emergence based on soil temperature at 5 cm 

depth (Daniel, 2014). Adult emergence begins after 430 degree days above the 

pupal (soil) developmental threshold temperature of 5 °C (Daniel, 2014). 

The preoviposition period lasts six to 13 days, during which maturation of gonads 

concludes while adults feed on bacterial colonies inhabiting the surface of host 

leaves and fruit, honeydew, extrafloral nectaries and bird feces (Daniel and 

Grunder, 2012). 

Adults aggregate onto sunlit portions of the host when the temperature is above 

15 °C to mate (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). Ambient conditions favorable to 

mating and oviposition most often occur on the southeast portion of the host. 

Fecundity ranges from 30–200 eggs per female; fertility ranges from 54–100

percent (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Males guard individual cherries and emit a species-specific pheromone (Daniel 

and Grunder, 2012). The relative importance of this pheromone and of host 

quality cues to the selection of an oviposition host is unclear. After forced 

copulation with a male guarding the host cherry, the female pierces the cherry 

with her ovipositor and oviposits a single egg in the fruit; she then marks the 

cherry with a host-marking pheromone to preserve the resource for the single egg. 

However, during years of heavy infestation, multiple larvae have been found in a 

single cherry (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Factors determining the time of oviposition initiation include the nutritional state 

of females, ambient temperature and degree of cherry fruit maturity (Daniel and 

Grunder, 2012). The time between mating and oviposition is unclear; it may be 

based on insolation and temperature. High levels of infestation are associated with 

prolonged periods of sunny weather and temperatures above 15 °C (Daniel and 

Grunder, 2012)

Oviposition occurs at midday on sunny days when temperatures are above 16 °C 

(Daniel and Grunder, 2012). The fruit fly prefers sweet cherries over Prunus 

cerasus L. (sour cherries), consistent with research demonstrating that subsequent 

larval development is more rapid and successful in pulp of lower acidity and 

higher sugar content. In sweet cherries, the preferred oviposition host is a fruit 

with pulp thickness of 5 mm or more, a hardened pit and a color stage 

transitioning from green to yellow (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). Within orchards, 

ovipositing females will move to adjacent Lonicera spp. berries when cherries 
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-4

have already ripened and been harvested (Daniel, 2014). Adults that developed as 

larvae in Lonicera spp. berries have demonstrated a preference for Lonicera spp.

berries as oviposition hosts (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Hosts

Table 3-1 List of reported plant hosts of R. cerasi

Scientific name Common name References

Berberis aquifolium Pursh holly barberry Liquido et al. (2017)

Berberis heteropoda 

Schrenk ex Fisch. & C. A. 

Mey.

N/A Liquido et al. (2017)

Berberis vulgaris L. common barberry Liquido et al. (2017)

Cornus sanguinea L. dogberry Liquido et al. (2017)

Lonicera alpigena L. alpine honeysuckle Boller et al. (1998)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Lonicera morrowii A. Gray Morrow’s honeysuckle Bullas-Appleton (2016)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Lonicera spp. wild honeysuckle Liquido et al. (2017)

White and Elson-Harris (1994)

Lonicera tatarica L. Tartarian honeysuckle Boller et al. (1998)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Lonicera xylosteum L. European fly honeysuckle Boller and Prokopy (1976)

Boller et al. (1998)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Prunus avium (L.) L. sweet cherry Boller et al. (1998)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Prunus cerasus L. sour or tart cherry Boller and Bush (1974)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Prunus mahaleb L. mahaleb cherry Daniel and Grunder (2012)

Leski (1963)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Prunus padus L.1 European bird cherry Kotte (1958)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Prunus serotina Ehrh. black cherry Daniel and Grunder (2012)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Prunus spp.3 cherry Liquido et al. (2017)

White and Elson-Harris (1994)

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) 

S. F. Blake

(=Symphoricarpos 

racemosus Michx.)

1

snowberry Kotte (1958)

Liquido et al. (2017)

Symphoricarpos 

orbiculatus Moench

coralberry Liquido et al. (2017)

1 Can develop in the fruits, but to a limited extent

2 Adult associated host

3 All cherry species are regulated
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-5

Dispersal

Natural Dispersal

Rhagoletis cerasi rarely move far from their host plants, and disperse only when 

deprived of suitable fruits for oviposition due to early harvest or frost (Boller and 

Prokopy, 1976; Daniel and Grunder, 2012). It is at this point that females, 

followed by males, move from tree to tree until they find a suitable host. 

Laboratory studies have shown that R. cerasi is capable of flying more than 1 km 

in 24 hours (as cited in Daniel and Baker (2013)), although studies conducted 

under field conditions indicated that their maximum flight distance is between 

100 and 500 m, and in unique cases, as far as 3 km when no landing platforms are 

available (as cited in Daniel and Grunder (2012)). Within orchards, 95 percent of 

adults move to adjacent, late-ripening trees, and from there to Lonicera spp. 

bushes (Daniel and Grunder, 2012; Leski, 1963). Wind may also play a role in 

dispersal of adults (Daniel and Baker, 2013; Thiem, 1934).

Human-Assisted Spread

Movement of infested fruit is most likely the primary way R. cerasi is spread with 

human assistance (Daniel, 2017). It is nearly impossible to sort out infested 

cherries, and when marketed, the consumer will eventually notice the larvae. 

Thereafter, if put on a compost pile, larvae that survive and form pupae might be 

able to overwinter (Daniel, 2017). 

The movement of plants for planting could possibly involve soil infested with R. 

cerasi pupae (Landry and Mordecai, 2016). Larvae develop inside the fruit and 

drop to the soil under the tree canopy to pupate and overwinter (Boller, 1966).

Potential Pathways of Introduction

The introduction of R. cerasi into the U.S. would most likely be through the 

importation of infested cherry fruit. Between 1988 and 2016, R. cerasi immatures 

have been intercepted 114 times in fruit in baggage at U.S. ports of entry (PestID, 

2017). Although there is no indication of an open commercial pathway of 

commercial cherry fruit imported from regions where R. cerasi is known to be 

established (Landry and Mordecai, 2016), there is evidence of other Tephritidae 

entering the country, primarily in passenger baggage (Bigsby et al., 2016; 

Liebhold et al., 2006).

Research conducted by Szyniszewska et al. (2016) indicated that Ceratitis 

capitata (Wiedemann) (Mediterranean fruit fly) gains entry into Florida and 
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-6

California predominantly in infested fruit that is carried by airline passengers. 

Further analysis on fruit fly interceptions at U.S. ports-of-entry from 2005

through 2014 indicated that Tephritidae were intercepted on items for 

consumption (fruit) 96.8 percent of the time and that 96.2 percent of all pest 

interceptions were in international passenger baggage (Bigsby et al., 2016). 

Geographic Distribution

Ecological Range

Table 3-2 Ecological range of R. cerasi

Region Country References

Asia

Armenia Foote (1984)

Azerbaijan Foote (1984)

Belarus Foote (1984)

Georgia Foote (1984)

Iran Derakhshan (2009)

Namin and Rasoulian (2009)

Kazakhstan Foote (1984)

Kyrgyzstan Foote (1984)

Tajikistan Foote (1984)

Turkmenistan Foote (1984)

Uzbekistan Foote (1984)

Europe

Austria Boller et al. (1976)

Bosnia and Herzegovina Nježić et al. (2016)

Riegler and Stauffer (2002)

Bulgaria Boller and Bush (1974)

Boller et al. (1976)

Crete Moraiti et al. (2012)

Croatia Bjeliš (2008)

Riegler and Stauffer (2002)

Czech Republic Falta et al. (2005)

Riegler and Stauffer (2002)

Denmark Ravn and Rasmussen (1994)

Estonia Foote (1984)

Kütük and Özaslan (2006)

France Boller et al. (1976)

Moraiti et al. (2014)

Germany Boller et al. (1976)

Moraiti et al. (2014)

Greece Boller et al. (1976)

Moraiti et al. (2014)

Hungary Boller and Bush (1974)
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-7

Boller et al. (1976)

Italy Caruso and Boselli (2008)

Fimiani (1984)

Latvia Stalažs (2014)

Lithuania Lutovinovas (2014)

Moldova Kiskin et al. (1981)

Netherlands Boller and Bush (1974)

Boller et al. (1976)

Norway Jaastad (1994)

Poland Olszak and Maciesiak (2004)

Portugal Arthofer et al. (2009a)

Republic of Macedonia Bandzo et al. (2012)

Romania Boller et al. (1976)

Russia Augustinos et al. (2014)

Sardinia Proto (1979)

Serbia Stamenkovic et al. (2012)

Sicily Piccionello and Caleca (2012)

Slovakia Boller and Bush (1974)

Boller et al. (1976)

Slovenia Riegler and Stauffer (2002)

Spain Boller et al. (1976)

Riegler and Stauffer (2002)

Sweden White and Elson-Harris (1994)

Switzerland Jaastad (1998)

Turkey Kepenekci et al. (2015)

Kütük and Özaslan (2006)

Ukraine Riegler and Stauffer (2002)

Yugoslavia Boller and Bush (1974)

Boller et al. (1976)

North America

Canada (Ontario) NAPPO (2016)

Potential Distribution in the United States

Boller and Remund (1983) determined that emergence of R. cerasi requires 430 

degree-days above a base developmental temperature of 5 °C. Various other 

studies conducted also determined that in order for the maximum emergence of R. 

cerasi adults to occur, temperatures had to be below 5 °C for approximately 180 

days (Daniel and Grunder, 2012; Leski, 1963; Thiem, 1934; Vallo et al., 1976). 

Moraiti et al. (2014) recently determined that diapause termination could 

successfully occur with winter temperatures at 8 °C and that diapause intensity 

and temperature requirements can vary depending on the geographic origin of the 

population. 

Tart cherry distribution in the U.S. is mainly in Michigan, while sweet cherries 
Pest Overview

2018-03 R. cerasi 3-8

are produced in the western and northeastern parts of the U.S. with the highest 

host densities in California, Michigan, Oregon and Washington (Fig. 3-1)

(USDA-APHIS-PPQ-S&T Fort Collins Lab, 2016; USDA-NASS, 2016). These 

states represent plant hardiness zones 6–11 (USDA, 2015).

Figure 3-1 Density map of combined hosts (sweet and sour cherries) depicting possible 

host areas for R. cerasi to establish in the continental United States (USDA-APHIS-PPQS&T Fort Collins Lab, 2016)
2018-03 R. cerasi 4-1

4. Pest Identification and

Damage

Species Description/Morphology

Adults

Adult flies feature a prominent yellow scutellum, shiny black thorax and wings 

characterized by clear translucent regions variegated with near-opaque gray or 

black regions. Females measure approximately 5 mm (Fig. 4-1); males, 4 mm

(Fig. 4-2) (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Figure 4-1 Rhagoletis cerasi female (image credit Claudia Daniel, Research Institute of 

Organic Agriculture FiBL)

Chapter

4
Pest Identification and Damage

2018-03 R. cerasi 4-2

Figure 4-2 Rhagoletis cerasi male (image credit Claudia Daniel, Research Institute of 

Organic Agriculture FiBL)

Figure 4-3 Rhagoletis cerasi male and female mating (image credit Claudia Daniel, 

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL)

Eggs

Eggs are white, oblong and approximately 0.25 × 0.75 mm. They are deposited 

into host fruit immediately beneath the fruit skin (Daniel and Grunder, 2012; 

Mouzaki and Margaritis, 1991).
Pest Identification and Damage

2018-03 R. cerasi 4-3

Larvae

Larval development occurs within the host fruit, where larvae feed on fruit pulp; 

neonates tunnel toward the cherry pit to avoid predators and parasitoids. There are 

three instars; mature third instar larvae are translucent white and measure 

approximately 6 mm long (Fig. 4-4) (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Figure 4-4 Newly hatched R. cerasi larvae with an empty eggshell and an egg shortly to 

hatch (image credit Claudia Daniel, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL)

Pupae

Prepupal third instars form exit holes in the fruit skin as they emerge to drop to 

the soil beneath the host, where they quickly burrow and pupate (Fig. 4-5). The 

depth of pupation varies with soil texture, from 2 cm in clay soils to 5 cm in sandy 

soils. The puparium is cylindrical, approximately 2 × 4 mm and straw yellow.

Pupae are the overwintering stage and remain in the soil for 9–10 months, as 

studied in Germany, Switzerland and Austria (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).
Pest Identification and Damage

2018-03 R. cerasi 4-4

Figure 4-5 Rhagoletis cerasi pupae (image credit Claudia Daniel, Research Institute of 

Organic Agriculture FiBL)

Signs and Symptoms

Larval maturation within cherry fruit is associated with sunken brown lesions 

(Fig. 4-6) (Noma et al., 2010). Exit holes remain after the pre-pupal larvae exit 

the cherry fruit to pupate in soil beneath the host (Fig. 4-7) (Daniel and Grunder, 

2012).

Figure 4-6 Damage inside cherry from R. cerasi pupae (image credit Claudia Daniel, 

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL)
Pest Identification and Damage

2018-03 R. cerasi 4-5

Figure 4-7 Exit holes from R. cerasi (image credit Claudia Daniel, Research Institute of 

Organic Agriculture FiBL)

Similar Species

There are three other Rhagoletis spp. that also infest cherries in the United States. 

♦ Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) (Eastern cherry fruit fly) is found in the 

eastern United States, southeastern Canada and Mexico (Bush, 1966; Rull

et al., 2011; Yee et al., 2014). Since 1983, this species has also been 

detected in various countries in Europe (Bjeliš, 2008; Egartner et al., 

2010; Lampe et al., 2005)

Figure 4-8 Rhagoletis cingulata adult (image credit Tom Murray)
Pest Identification and Damage

2018-03 R. cerasi 4-6

♦ Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Western cherry fruit fly) is found in the 

northwestern United States and in British Columbia, Canada (Bush, 1966; 

Foote, 1984; Yee et al., 2014)

Figure 4-9 Rhagoletis indifferens adult (image credit E. Beers, Orchard Pest 

Management Online)

♦ Rhagoletis fausta (Osten Sacken) (black cherry fruit fly) is found in the 

eastern and western United States and in eastern Canada (Bush, 1966; 

Foote, 1984; Yee et al., 2014)

Figure 4-10 Rhagoletis fausta adult (image credit Tom Murray)

There is one other species, R. berberidis Jermy, that is similar to R. cerasi, but 

that is not present in the United States. Keys to differentiating each of these fruit 
Pest Identification and Damage

2018-03 R. cerasi 4-7

flies to species level have been described by Bush (1966), Merz (1994), White 

(1988) and White and Elson-Harris (1994).
2018-03 R. cerasi 5-1

5. Delimitation Survey

When one or more European cherry fruit flies are collected in an area, implement 

a delimiting survey immediately to determine the population distribution. The 

standard fruit fly delimitation design that has been approved for all other exotic 

tephritids is recommended. Collection of adults can be accomplished with trap 

and lure combinations. An alternative method that can also be used is sweep 

netting (Jackson and Moylett, 2016).

During ECFF outbreaks, the USDA and relevant State Departments of 

Agriculture will operate under Unified Command and each agency will designate

an incident commander to be responsible for the overall project and 

administrative functions.

If circumstances warrant, the Unified Command may request the assistance of 

APHIS–PPQ’s Incident Management Team. The project will use the Incident 

Command System in handling the project activities. 

Technical Support Representatives

♦ Technical Working Group (TWG): Consists of scientists and program 

mangers recommended by TDA/USDA for their expertise on the pest. The 

TWG advises Unified Command or APHIS/TDA management on current 

research and technology as well as on the biological soundness of treatments 

and the detection program. The TWG meets as needed to develop 

recommendations and submit them to Project Management, the 

Commissioner and industry

♦ Legal Counsel: State or federal attorneys who advise on the legal basis for 

enforcement decisions and the validity of claims, and who defend the 

program in court

♦ Medical Coordinator: A pesticide toxicologist who advises on public health 

implications of the treatment program

♦ Animal Health Coordinator: A veterinarian who advises on potential animal 

health risks of the treatment program and liaises with veterinary groups

Chapter

5
Delimitation Survey

2018-03 R. cerasi 5-2

♦ Industry Representatives: Technical representatives who advise on methods 

of treatment application and represent grower issues

Delimitation Area

The total delimitation area may depend on information from trace-back and traceforward investigations; pest identification; the nearby host distribution, including 

the extent of natural and artificial dispersal; agency resources and logistics. The 

delimiting survey boundaries can be as specific as production sites or as broad as 

political or geographical boundaries. 

Along with other factors, the delimited area depends on the flight capacity of the 

exotic pest. The delimitation area may also be influenced by other specifics that 

are only known at the time of introduction. For instance, the location of 

introduction, occurrence of high-risk pathways, density and distribution of hosts 

near the initial detection area, wind direction and available surveillance resources 

at the time of introduction all may influence the delimitation area.

The range of dispersal of R. cerasi is determined by the availability of host fruit; 

thus, the delimited area can be determined by host distribution. 

Traps and Placement

The CAPS approved method is a protein-baited yellow sticky card with a lure of 

ammonium acetate in a polycon dispenser (Molet and Moylett, 2016). Place traps 

around the perimeter of the orchard and in the middle section of the tree canopy 

on the outside edge of the tree with the yellow surface of the trap facing outward 

(Molet and Moylett, 2016). Traps may also be placed in honeysuckle. If the main 

stem is large enough, hang the trap; if not, use a wooden or metal stake placed in 

close proximity to the host, making sure the trap is level with the crown of the 

plant (Molet and Moylett, 2016).

Following the confirmation of a detected specimen as ECFF, increase trap 

densities in the core square-mile area within 24-48 hours. Optimally, place traps 

over an 81-square mile area in a 100-50-25-20-10 array (Fig. 5-1) (USDAAPHIS-PPQ, 2003). This includes a core mile area surrounded by four concentric 

buffer square miles for a total of approximately 81 square miles depending on the 

factors mentioned above. Increase trap densities in the remainder of the trapping 

area from the core outward, if possible, within 72 hours of the find (Table 5-1)

(USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2003). Reduce overall trap numbers if there are areas that 

do not support hosts. For example, if any square mile of the area contains only 25 

percent hosts, then the total numbers recommended in that square mile would be 
Delimitation Survey

2018-03 R. cerasi 5-3

reduced by approximately 75 percent.

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4

4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4

4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4

4 3 2 1 C 1 2 3 4

4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4

4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4

4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Figure 5-1 Array pattern for placing the traps in the field: (C) core area; (1) 8 square miles

around the core area; (2) next 16 square miles outward; (3) next 24 square miles and (4)

outermost 32 square miles (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2003)

Table 5-1 Trap distribution, density and possible total number of traps in the array 

areas. The core area has the densest level of traps, and subsequent trapping levels are 

reduced, moving out toward the outer buffer (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2003)

Area Buffer Total mi2 Traps/ mi2 Total traps

C core area 1 100 100

1 1 mi2 8 50 400

2 2 mi2 16 25 400

3 3 mi2 24 20 480

4 4 mi2 32 10 320

total mi2 81 (varies) 1700

Trap Servicing

During the first week, service traps in the core mile daily. If you find a second fly 

during this first week of intensive trapping, service traps in the core area twice 

weekly and place increased emphasis on servicing traps in the buffer areas in an 

effort to better delimit the infestation (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2003). Traps in the 

eight square miles around the core need to be serviced every two days. Check all 

other traps at least once within the first week. Service all traps weekly for three 

life cycles of the fly beyond the last fly detected. Relocate traps to available 

preferred hosts as practical (USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 2003).

Once the ammonium acetate dispenser has been expelled, discard the polycon and 

replace it with a new pre-loaded polycon (Molet and Moylett, 2016). Polycon 
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2018-03 R. cerasi 5-4

dispensers are refillable, but for ease of use, pre-loaded, single-use devices are to 

be used. Therefore, do not attempt to re-load the dispensers.

Other Survey Techniques for Delimitation

Overwintering pupae are found in soil proximal to the host, at a depth of 2–5 cm, 

varying with soil texture from clayey to sandy (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). A 

method for sampling soil and extracting pupae has been described for the Western 

cherry fruit fly (AliNiazee, 1974).

Sampling of Soil for Pupae

The soil depth at which the 2 × 4 mm pupae have been reported to pupate has 

ranged from 2 cm in clay soils to 5 cm in sandy soils (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

AliNiazee (1974) described a wet-sieving method for surveying cherry orchard 

soils in western Oregon (Albany) for pupae of the western cherry fruit fly. Most 

pupae were found within 10 cm of the soil surface; however, up to 12.5 percent of 

pupae in a sampled area were found at a depth of 15.24 cm. 

♦ Collect soil beneath host using a sample size of 30.5 cm × 30.5 cm

diameter × 2.5 cm depth., down to 15.24 cm in depth

♦ Transfer sample to a 10-mm mesh sieve

♦ Shake sample on sieve under a stream of water to separate pupae and soil 

from vegetation and roots. Collect pass-through

♦ Transfer pass-through sample to a 5-mm mesh sieve

♦ Shake sample under a stream of water. Collect pass-through

♦ Transfer pass-through sample to a 0.84-mm mesh sieve

♦ Shake sample under a stream of water; 0.84-mm mesh sieve will retain 

pupae

♦ Transfer retained sample from 0.84-mm mesh sieve to a flat white 

porcelain pan

♦ Add tap water to float Rhagoletis pupae for collection

Visual Inspection for Larvae during Delimiting Survey

In addition to flight-interception trapping of adults, larval surveys are conducted 

in host fruit (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). Signs and symptoms of R. cerasi larval 

activity in cherries include presence of ovipositing adults on fruit, darkening of 

fruit, soft spots on fruit, exit holes on fruit made by mature (pre-pupal) larvae, 

shriveled or wilted fruit and rotten fruit (USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, 2016). 

Additionally, fruits may be sliced to actively look for larvae. A method of 
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2018-03 R. cerasi 5-5

surveying cherry and honeysuckle fruit for larvae is described by Daniel and 

Grunder (2012):

♦ Collect 100 ripe cherries or Lonicera spp. berries

♦ Crush fruits to a degree sufficient to dislodge and separate the pits

♦ Add the de-pitted fruits to a 1,000-ml aqueous solution containing 

350 g salt

♦ After 10 minutes of immersion, count floating larvae

Timing of Surveys

Rhagoletis cerasi is univoltine and overwinters as pupae in soil proximal to the 

host. Pupal diapause concludes after 180 days below 5 °C; adult emergence 

occurs after 430 day-degrees above that temperature (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

The period of adult emergence, flight, mating and oviposition can range from 7–

11 weeks, coinciding with temperatures above 15 °C (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). 

Adult emergence begins after 430 degree days above the pupal (soil) 

developmental threshold temperature of 5 °C (Daniel, 2014). Models exist for 

predicting adult emergence based on soil temperature at 5 cm depth (Daniel, 

2014). The emergence of adults from pupae in soil beneath Lonicera spp. lags a 

few days behind that of adults that emerge from pupae proximal to cherries

(Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

After adult emergence and feeding on the host and in the vicinity of the host to 

promote sexual maturity, mating and oviposition occurs where the host fruit is 

exposed to sunlight. Adults prefer sweet cherries over sour cherries; in sweet 

cherries, the preferred oviposition host is a fruit with pulp thickness of 5 mm or 

more, a hardened pit and a color stage transitioning from green to yellow (Daniel 

and Grunder, 2012). Larvae develop in cherries until they have matured and leave 

the fruit to pupate in adjacent soil or until fruit are harvested or destroyed by 

disease organisms or weather events (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Guidance for CAPS suggests surveying for R. cerasi adults in the U.S. from May 

through July, when weather conditions are hot and dry (USDA-APHIS-PPQCPHST, 2016). Survey of cherry fruit for larvae can begin soon after oviposition 

begins in mid-June and when host fruit starts to become available (USDAAPHIS-PPQ-CPHST, 2016).

.
2018-03 R. cerasi 6-1

6. Eradication and Control 

Procedures

This chapter presents known control options available for this pest and 

summarizes how widely used they are in the United States.

This information can be used by PPQ decision-makers after a detection to assess 

the suitability of potential actions to eradicate, contain or suppress R. cerasi. The 

efficacy and feasibility of each control option will depend on the pest situation at 

the time of detection. Factors such as where the pest is detected (i.e., natural or 

urban environment, agricultural crops, greenhouses), how widespread the pest is, 

the climatic region, the time of year, the phenology of the host and what current 

practices are already in place contribute to determining whether a particular 

control option is appropriate. With respect to detection of an introduction of 

Rhagoletis cerasi, in the absence of recurring introductions, the prospect of 

eradicating a small, geographically isolated population of this oligophagous, 

univoltine species is favored by its susceptibility to three classes of chemical 

insecticides (see below).

Regulatory Procedures

♦ Hold Notices: After an infestation is known to exist, operations personnel 

will issue hold orders on all properties known to be infested with ECFF

♦ Emergency Quarantine: An emergency quarantine shall be adopted if any 

of the infestation criteria listed under Eradication Activities is fulfilled

Criteria for Declaration of an Infestation and Initiation of Eradication 

Activities

♦ Two adults or more within three miles of each other and within a time 

period equal to one life cycle of the fly,

♦ One mated female (known or suspected to have been mated to a wild 

male)* or

♦ Larvae or pupae

Chapter

6
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Environmental Assessment and Public Notifications Regarding 

Eradication Treatments

At the time of an eradication treatment, a site specific Environmental Assessment 

will be completed and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) signed, and 

the public will be notified regarding the findings. 

The purpose of notification is to comply with state/federal law and present 

accurate information in an understandable and non-threatening format to 

concerned groups. Local and state elected representatives of the residents in the 

treatment area will be notified and apprised of major developments before and 

during treatment. During ground treatment activities, any resident whose property 

will be treated with foliar sprays following the discovery of infested fruit on or 

near their property will be notified in writing prior to treatment. Treatment notices 

include the name of the pest to be eradicated, the material to be used and a phone 

number to call in case of additional questions on project operations. Following 

treatment, a completion notice is left detailing any precautions the homeowner 

should take, including harvest intervals on treated fruit. Treatment without prior 

notification may be necessary on a small number of properties if active larvae are 

detected. However, reasonable efforts will be made to contact the homeowner. 

In the event of aerial treatment operations, notification will be made either by 

hand delivery or first class mail at least 72 hours before the first pesticide 

application begins, or in a declared emergency situation, at least 24 hours before 

treatment (USDA-APHIS, 2015). The information contained in the notice will 

include that noted above plus the aerial treatment boundaries and the number of a 

toll-free hotline to answer health related questions.

Eradication Methods and Procedures

Control Tactics

Ground control is comprised of three elements: foliar bait spray treatments of 

host and/or non-host plants with hand or mechanical ground spray equipment, soil

drenching hosts around larval or mated female detections and removal of all fruit

(fruit removal). Foliar bait spray treatments target the adult life stage of the fruit 

fly. Soil drenching under the drip-line of a host plant targets the larval or pupae 

stage in the soil. Fruit removal is conducted in order to break the life cycle by 

eliminating any potential hosts for egg oviposition and larval development.
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The following outline has been developed to provide direction through the initial

stages of a ground control program:

♦ Control triggers are met, fly identification is confirmed and a treatment 

area is defined based on fly distribution and the current action plan

♦ State Agricultural authorities and regulations are required and used for 

official plant pest eradication and pesticide treatments for intrastate 

quarantines. Federal and state program officials must work together on 

control and eradication of plant pests

♦ Compliance with the Endangered Species Act and NEPA: A site specific 

Environmental Assessment will be required and prepared by the APHIS 

Environmental Risk Assessment Staff (ERAS). Also, sensitive 

environmental sites to be excluded from treatment are identified in 

cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service and local government agencies

 Environmental and Biological Assessments conducted prior to 

treatment

♦ The Public Information Officer (PIO) must issue a public notification via

the news media at least 24 hours in advance of treatment. This notification

should include treatment area boundaries, common roadways and

landmarks for reference, anticipated dates of treatment, information about 

the pesticide used and the program help-line telephone number

♦ Equipment and personnel are mobilized. All control equipment is brought

to a suitable location. Control personnel are contacted for immediate 

deployment: strike teams consisting of three to four 2-person units are 

assigned to sections of the treatment area, depending on equipment used. 

A strike team leader and teams commence control activities as soon as

logistically possible.

Treatment Notification

The following procedures pertain to foliar bait spays and soil drench applications 

by ground-based treatment crews:

♦ Notify the property owner 24 hours before treatment

 Leave a Pre-Treatment Notification Form at the residence on the 

front door or in another visible place (do not leave the form in the 

property’s USPS mailbox)

 If contact is made and permission is granted, begin treatment

♦ When beginning treatment, attempt to make contact with the 

resident/homeowner

 If contact is made and permission is granted, begin treatment

 If no contact is made, begin treatment and leave a Post-Treatment 
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Notification Form

 If the property owner refuses, then treatment is not conducted on 

the property

IMPORTANT: EVERY PROPERTY THAT IS NOT TREATED, FOR 

WHATEVER REASON, MUST BE RECORDED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Control Staging Area

A location should be selected that has the following characteristics:

♦ Close to the treatment area

♦ Secure for vehicles, chemicals, and equipment

♦ Equipped with a water source

♦ Equipped with a suitable office space and electricity

♦ Permeable area for mixing (if practical)

♦ Inconspicuous (out of sight of the public and press)

♦ Preferably away from the Incident Command Post (ICP)

Foliar Bait Spray Treatments

Foliar bait spray treatment refers to the use of ground-control equipment, such as 

pump-up hand held sprayers, backpack sprayers, vehicle-mounted tank sprayers,

etc., to apply bait spray directly to the underside of foliage on hosts and nonhosts. Fruit flies are attracted to the protein hydrolysate and ingest the material, 

thereby receiving a lethal dose of the pesticide.

♦ Personnel numbers are dependent on the size of the area to be treated and 

the density of hosts and properties in that area

 A two-person team can treat approximately 40 to 50 properties per 

day, based on host and property density

♦ Use the following formula to estimate the resources needed in urban or 

residential areas:

 Assumptions: high density area = 2500 properties/mi2

 Two-person team can treat 50 properties/day or 350 properties/7-

day week

 No. of sq. mi. to treat × 2500 = X; X/350 = no. of control units 

needed for weekly application

 Note: this calculation is for the number of two-person teams and

does not include strike team leaders or other support personnel.

♦ Training and communication within the Control Branch are extremely 

important due to the close scrutiny the field personnel might encounter 

from the media and public. Inquiries from the media should always be 
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2018-03 R. cerasi 6-5

referred to the PIO

♦ A list of trained personnel for the Control Branch and support should be 

maintained and updated as necessary

♦ All personnel should be familiar with the Incident Command System 

(ICS) and have at least taken ICS-100 and ICS-200

Equipment for use in urban areas includes the following:

♦ Two-gallon pump-up sprayers have been the most efficient. Plastic

sprayers are lightweight and economical. In order to minimize clogging, 

the sprayers and nozzles should be rinsed out at the end of each day

♦ Truck mounted sprayers: conduct calculations to determine the amount of

material that can be applied using the minimum settings of the spray 

nozzle. A 100–200-ft hose can be used as long as you have sufficient

pressure

♦ A supply truck should be stationed close to the treatment area in order to 

refill the sprayers with bait spray as needed throughout the day

Chemicals

There are only two approved bait-insecticides for fruit fly eradication 

programs: GF-120 Naturalyte® (Spinosad, Dow AgroSciences LLC, 

Indianapolis, IN), an organically certified mixture of spinosad and fruit fly 

bait, and malathion2 (various manufacturers) plus Nu-Lure® Insect Bait 

(Miller Chemical and Fertilizer Corp., Hanover, PA). 

Instructions for applying foliar bait sprays

GF-120 Naturalyte® (GF-120 NF) and malathion/Nu-Lure® bait-sprays must 

be applied as a low volume application, either as a hand-wand spot-spray or 

with ultra–low volume application equipment. 

Hand-wand spray equipment for the bait-spray applications includes 2 to 4-

gallon backpack sprayers and 1 to 5-gallon (pump-up) sprayers. Larger 

capacity spray equipment (ultra–low volume) may be used that can be 

adjusted or retooled to apply large droplet sizes (4-6 mm).

Application Procedures: Proper application techniques ensure 1) coverage 

of the target plants and 2) that an accurate dosage is applied for optimal

fly control

 2 Not all crops or this defined application regime are listed on malathion labels. If your crop is not listed on the 

malathion label, malathion is illegal to use on your crop. Therefore, the GF-120 NF might be the only treatment 

option unless a Special Local Needs label can be obtained under the authority of §24(c) of FIFRA for the use of 

a federally registered malathion product to meet special local needs of the program.
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♦ Spot treatments should be made by applying the bait spray to the 

underside of the canopy in order to reduce direct exposure to sun and 

rain

♦ A large spray droplet size of 4 to 6 mm is recommended to optimize the 

length of bait attractiveness

♦ Begin applications as soon as monitoring indicates flies are present. 

Applications should be made every 7 to 14 days. Always refer to the 

label for timing and frequency of applications

♦ All treatments on a property should be recorded

♦ GF-120 NF will allow 1–3 oz of bait spray per host or non-host plant. 

If the average is four hosts or non-hosts per property, then a property 

would receive an average of 12 oz of bait spray (3 oz × 4 hosts/nonhosts). If there are fewer than four hosts on a property, non-hosts 

should be used so at least four hosts or non-hosts are treated on each 

property

♦ Malathion’s application rate is 0.18 lbs. active ingredient (a.i.) per acre

Mixing instructions for GF-120 Naturalyte® fruit fly bait

GF‐120 NF is a concentrate that must be diluted with water before use. The 

dilution rate is 1:1.5 (GF‐120 NF: water). For example, to make 10 liters of 

spray solution, mix 4 liters of GF‐120 NF with 6 liters of water.

♦ Add water (one half of the total volume of water) to the mixing tank 

and start the agitation system

♦ Add the full amount of GF-120 NF

♦ Use the remaining water (the second half of the total volume of water) 

to rinse the GF-120 containers

♦ Before disposal, empty GF-120 NF containers will need to be triplerinsed; the rinsate from this process should be used in the mixing of 

the spray solution

♦ Dispose of rinsed GF-120 NF containers appropriately

♦ Agitate the spray solution for at least 5 minutes to ensure uniformity 

before dispensing it into individual sprayers

Example:

Total volume: 350 liters of spray solution (at a 1:1.5 dilution rate, this 

means 140 liters GF-120 NF:210 liters water)

Mixing instructions:

1. Add 105 liters of water to the mix-tank, agitate.

2. Add 140 liters of GF-120 NF to mix-tank (37 one-gallon 
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2018-03 R. cerasi 6-7

containers).

3. Add 105 liters of empty container rinsate/water to mix tank.

4. Agitate for at least 5 minutes before dispensing into secondary 

containers (i.e., 2-gallon sprayers).

IMPORTANT: ONCE GF‐120 NF IS DILUTED, IT MUST BE USED

WITHIN 24 HOURS.

Mixing instructions for Malathion/Nu-Lure®

Malathion plus Nu-Lure® Insect Bait Mixture: The only approved insecticide to 

mix with Nu-Lure® Insect Bait is malathion. There are numerous malathion 

brands with different amounts of a.i. Use a malathion product that is labeled 

for your crop. You must apply 0.18 pounds of a.i. per acre. The amount of 

product that is applied per acre will vary with the malathion formulation you 

purchase. 

Following are some examples using the formula to calculate the amount of 

product you need to apply 0.18 lbs. a.i. malathion per acre: 

♦ GOWAN® Malathion 8 Flowable—8 lbs a.i./gallon (128 oz)

8 lbs a. i.⁄gallon

128 oz/gallon = Need 0.18 lbs⁄acreX oz

X = 2.9 oz/acre

♦ Bonide® Malathion—4.37 lbs a.i./gallon (128 oz)

4.37 lbs a. i.⁄gallon

128 oz/gallon = Need 0.18 lbs⁄acreX oz

X = 5.3 oz/acre

Table 6-1 Examples of Malathion and Nu-Lure® rates per 1-acre application

Brand lbs a.i./gallon Malathion 

rate/acre

Nu-Lure® Amount of water 

per acre

Gowan® Malathion 8 8.00 2.9 oz 9.6 oz 10–40 gallons

Bonide® Malathion 4.37 5.3 oz 9.6 oz 10–40 gallons

It is critical to follow the label directions on the rates allowed per application, 

number of applications allowed per year and the application interval. If the 

interval is long (i.e., every 30 days) or the number of applications allowed in a 

year too low (i.e., no more than four), then the malathion must be rotated with 

the GF-120 applications.

♦ The water used for the solution should be buffered to pH 7.0 with an 
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2018-03 R. cerasi 6-8

available buffer material

♦ You must mix the malathion with Nu-Lure® Insect Bait. Follow the label 

and calculations above for proper use and rates. The Nu-Lure® rate is 9.6 

fl oz/acre

♦ Mix the malathion plus the Nu-Lure® in 10 to 40 gallons of water and 

apply the entire amount throughout the acre, applying the foliar bait spray 

as a spot treatment

♦ If treating crops that are not listed on a malathion label, use the GF-120 

NF

The effectiveness of Nu-Lure® may be decreased or slowed when applied over 

copper spray residues or when sprayed in tank mixes with copper. 

Calibration of Spray Equipment: Note the following when calibrating spray 

equipment.

♦ Have all calibration equipment on hand: graduated cylinder, buckets, 

stopwatch and recording material

♦ Test the spray pattern and adjust for a large spray droplet size of 4–6 mm

♦ Place the spray nozzle into a graduated cylinder and note the time it takes 

to spray out the desired amount (i.e., 1–3 oz). This is the amount of time it 

will take to apply 1–3 oz when conducting the treatments

♦ Calibration should be conducted every time the sprayer is filled, then 

calibrated periodically throughout the day 

Soil drenches

The use of soil drench under the drip line of host trees where invasive fruit fly 

species have been detected has historically been a key pest control component 

used in regulatory quarantine and eradication. In addition, soil drenches are 

also used as a regulatory treatment in the certification process to allow 

movement of known host nursery stock in containers outside of fruit fly 

quarantine areas as described in Title 7 of the CFR. 

Lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II with Zeon Technology®, Syngenta Crop 

Protection, LLC. Greensboro, NC) is used as a soil drench to kill larvae and 

pupae in the soil and may be applied around mated female and larval detection 

sites or in fruit fly host production nurseries under quarantine. No other 

insecticides are currently available for regulatory soil treatments in fruit fly 

eradication programs. Lambda-cyhalothrin is a synthetic pyrethroid 

insecticide and acaricide. 

Applications of lambda-cyhalothrin could occur within the drip line of fruitbearing fruit fly host plants that are located within a 200 m radius from the 
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2018-03 R. cerasi 6-9

detection of mated female fruit fly, larvae or pupae or as a regulatory 

treatment on host containerized nursery stock and to soil around nursery stock 

to allow nursery stock to move out of the quarantine area.

A Special Local Needs (SLN) label needs to be obtained/registered for this 

use. Work with your State Department of Agriculture Pesticide Registration 

Office. 

Application Rate: Apply 0.4 lbs a.i./acre, which equates to a single maximum 

rate of 0.0092 lbs a.i./1,000 sq. ft. of soil surface. This equals 0.56 fl oz of 

product in 15.5 gallons of water/1,000 ft2. 

Mixing Instructions: Mix 0.73 fl oz of product in 20 gallons of water to form a 

solution/suspension. Fifteen and one-half (15.5) gallons will treat 1,000 ft2 of 

surficial soil. 

Application within Drip Line of Fruit Bearing Host Plants: Applications will be 

made by or under the supervision of a licensed state or federal employee. Prior 

to application of the pesticide mixture, if necessary, remove all fruit from 

plant and pre-drench the areas to be treated with sufficient water to break the 

surface tension of soil and thereby allow adequate penetration by the 

insecticide. Based on risk assessment, drench the soil under the drip line of 

host plants located within a 200 m radius from a mated female or larval 

detection. Make treatments such that no surface liquid remains in order to 

avoid non-target exposure of humans, animals and non-target species. In areas 

where absorption is slow, applicators will remain on-site until the application 

has been absorbed into the soil. 

Applications on Regulated Host Nursery Stock: Applications are to be made 

by a licensed applicator under the supervision of the appropriate state or 

federal official. Chemigation is not allowed. Apply to nursery stock using 

equipment that generates a coarse, low pressure spray. Make applications 

using sufficient volume to soak the entire contents of the nursery stock 

container. 

Do not drench to the point of runoff. Do not allow offsite movement of the 

treatment solution from treated area into sewers, drains, gutters or to any area 

where drainage to sewers, storm drains, water bodies or aquatic habitats can 

occur.

Treatment Forms

Proper documentation of activities in ground treatment is extremely important and 

it is crucial that forms be completed promptly and accurately. Forms for ground
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based treatment operations include the following:

♦ Ground Control Treatment Log: a record of the start and finish of each 

treatment cycle by location and date

♦ Control Branch ICS 214 (Unit Log): this log should record personnel 

number and type, routine activities and unusual activities or events, etc.

♦ Pre-Treatment Notice to Property Owner: this notice is left at each 

property 24 hours prior to treatment

♦ Post-Treatment Notice to Property Owner: this notice is left at a property 

where a treatment has occurred, but the resident/owner could not be 

reached. The Notice informs the resident/owner that the property was 

treated, the material used, the date and time applied and any precautions

♦ Residential Property Treatment Record: a list by date of individual 

properties treated or untreated, number of hosts and non-hosts, and other 

pertinent information about the property

Larval Survey

Fruit fly host material on a property where a fly has been detected must be 

inspected for possible larval infestation. Small circular oviposition scars are 

occasionally visible, indicating a potential infestation. In the absence of visible 

scars, 100 or more pieces of host material (preferred hosts if available) should be 

cut open at random and examined for larvae. First and second instar larvae are 

small and may be feeding immediately under the surface of the skin; therefore 

fruit cutting should be left to experienced personnel. Fruit fly host material on 

properties adjacent to a detection should also be inspected for larval infestation.

If two or more flies are detected in close proximity, fruit cutting may be extended 

to all properties in a 200 m radius, concentrating on preferred hosts if available. 

Fruit can be inspected on the property or double-bagged and taken to another 

inspection site within the quarantine area. Do not move fruit fly host material out 

of the quarantine area. 

Fruit Removal

If there is evidence of a breeding population (larval or gravid/mated female), all 

fruit fly host material will be removed from all hosts within 200 m of a known 

infestation, safeguarded by double-bagging, and taken to a project-approved 

incinerator or landfill site for burial under at least one foot of fill. These activities 

must be completed on a daily basis.

Fruit removal is the physical removal of host fruit from plants or ground where 

fruit may have fallen, occurs at the detection sites and may extend outward to 200

m, depending on the severity of the infestation.
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Personnel should be well trained, in good physical condition, safety conscious and 

willing to do the work. For large fruit removal activities, project-approved local 

contractors may be contracted to do this work.

Alternative Control Techniques

This section outlines alternate control treatments. These techniques are not 

applicable for quarantine purposes.

The economic objective of the control measures presented is to keep the 

maximum larval infestation of fresh market cherries to less than or equal to 2 

percent of the marketed crop, and of canning cherries to less than or equal to 6 

percent (Daniel and Baker, 2013). Sweet cherries with greater levels of larval 

infestation are sold to distillers at a greatly reduced price (Daniel and Baker, 

2013).

Yellow sticky traps are used to mass trap as well as monitor the timing and 

density of moth emergence to guide timing of insecticide application (Daniel and 

Grunder, 2012). However, sticky trap results cannot be used to monitor for 

economic threshold because other variables in levels of larval infestation of fruit 

include the weather conditions during oviposition and the crop load–relative 

numbers of mated females (Daniel, 2014).

Mass Trapping

Mass trapping with yellow sticky traps is used in organic cherry orchards as an 

alternative to chemical sprays (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). A field-tested 

prototype of an improved trap, with advantages over the widely used Rebell®

amarillo cross-shaped sticky trap, was described by Daniel (2014).

Adults are visibly distinct, as described in Chapter 4 and illustrated in Figs. 4-1

and 4-2, and are trapped with yellow sticky traps placed in cherry trees or near 

honeysuckle (Daniel et al., 2014). A sticky trap of three-dimensional design 

(visible from all directions) with a primary reflectance peak at 500–550 nm and a 

secondary reflectance peak at 300–400 nm was found to capture the most flies 

and to be the most practical trap among tested designs (Daniel et al., 2014).

Sanitation

For varieties that allow it (i.e., early-maturing), cherry harvest should occur 

before mature pre-pupal larvae exit the host fruit to pupate in the soil. 

Unharvested infested cherries are a source of larvae and pupae for the next 

generation, and thus should be removed (Daniel and Grunder, 2012). To facilitate 
Control Options

2018-03 R. cerasi 6-12

complete and early harvest, trees should be appropriately pruned and tree height 

limited to 10-m (Daniel, 2014).

Cultural Controls

Fly emergence can be delayed by leaving grass growing uncut beneath tree 

canopies until shortly before harvest. The longer grass maintains the soil in a 

cooler state and thus can delay completion of fly development (Daniel and 

Grunder, 2012). 

The emergence of adults from the soil can be reduced by covering the soil beneath 

tree canopies with white, fine-meshed (0.8 mm) netting. In two orchards over two 

years, soil netting reduced adult trap captures by 77 percent relative to un-netted 

controls; larval infestation of cherries was reduced 91 percent compared to 

controls (Daniel and Baker, 2013).

Netting (1.3 mm) developing cherries in orchards of dwarf trees protected by hail 

net or from rain by plastic covers is reported to a be cost effective means of 

excluding reproductive adults from host fruit (Daniel, 2014).

For new plantings, choose varieties that accommodate mechanical harvesting,

which is more rapid than manual harvest (Daniel, 2014).

Behavioral Control

The efficacy of the sterile insect technique (the release of sterile males in numbers 

that result in an economically significant reduction in the number of fertilized 

eggs oviposited) has been demonstrated; however, the narrow host range of this 

species requires a mass rearing technique based on an alternative host or artificial 

host that has yet to be developed (Daniel and Grunder, 2012).

Biological Control

Foliar application of Beauvaria bassiana (entomopathogenic fungus, formulated 

as "Naturalis®-L" bioinsecticide) is effective in organic cherry orchards (Daniel, 

2014).

The efficacy of prospective soil treatments based on entomopathogenic 

nematodes and fungi versus pupae has been demonstrated in laboratory 

experiments (Daniel and Baker, 2013). However, efficacy could not be proven 

under field conditions; among unpublished results, nematodes were not effective,

and fungi were only effective in years with heavy rainfall and persistent very wet 

soil conditions (Daniel, 2017).

Rhagoletis cerasi populations in Europe have been found to be infected with 
Control Options

2018-03 R. cerasi 6-13

distinct strains of Wolbachia, intracellular bacteria suspected of being agents of 

cytoplasmic incompatibility between infected populations. When males infected 

with one strain mated with uninfected females or with females infected with a 

different Wolbachia strain, the resulting embryos died; when males and females 

infected with the same Wolbachia strain mated, the resulting embryos developed 

(Riegler and Stauffer, 2002). Thus, through the mechanism of cytoplasmic 

incompatibility, infection with distinct strains of Wolbachia was found to have 

resulted in geographically distinct R. cerasi populations in Europe (Arthofer et al., 

2009a). The prospect of applying cytoplasmic incompatibility, based on 

Wolbachia infection, to prevent an introduced population from becoming 

established has been proposed, but has not developed and implemented (Riegler 

and Stauffer, 2002). The limiting factor for this approach is the mass rearing of R. 

cerasi (Daniel, 2017). The challenges to mass rearing of R. cerasi include the 

following:

1. Rhagoletis cerasi only oviposits in round objects, which are more 

expensive to produce than simpler oviposition substrates.

2. Rhagoletis cerasi marks the oviposition site after oviposition, which

results in only one egg/oviposition substrate and makes frequent 

replacement of oviposition substrate necessary and very labor intensive.

3. Usually, under field conditions, only one larva per cherry is found. If two 

larvae meet within a fruit, they attack each other, and the older larva

typically kills the younger one. Therefore, during laboratory rearing, 

larvae need to be kept individually, which can be costly in labor and 

materials.

4. There is only one generation per year with a long obligatory winter 

diapause, making the rearing of a single generation very slow with high 

facilities costs.
2018-03 R. cerasi 7-1

7. Research Needs

New technology, research or assessment is needed to:

♦ Determine the efficacy of sentinel cages for monitoring adult emergence

♦ With the objective of increasing the ratio of actionable information to 

surveillance costs, identify existing or prospective networks by which soil 

temperature can be monitored in real time in order to identify when to 

begin monitoring host space for active adults 

♦ Optimize mass rearing of R. cerasi to facilitate inundative Wolbachia

infection–based cytoplasmic incompatibility, relative to sterile insect 

releases, in preventing an invasive population from becoming established

♦ Assess approved Tephritid chemical regimes against R. cerasi

Chapter

7
2018-03 R. cerasi References-1

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in soil. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 39:74-79.

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2018-03 R. cerasi A-1

Chronology of Action

Once a fly has been detected, the chronology of action is as follows:

♦ 24 hours: Trap density increased to protocol levels within core area around 

each fly find

♦ 48 hours: First inspection of traps

♦ 72 hours: Trap density increased to protocol levels in 81-mi2 area around 

each fly find

♦ First week: Daily inspection of project traps in core area

♦ Second week: Weekly inspection of project traps

Ground treatments conducted within a minimum of 200 m around the wild fly 

find begin as follows:

♦ 24–36 hours: Notification and larval survey begins

♦ 24–48 hours after notification: Pesticide treatment (bait spray) begins

♦ First week: Completion of first pesticide treatment

Handle any new treatment areas established due to additional fly finds within the 

same time frame as the first area.

Appendix

A
2018-03 R. cerasi B-1

Rhagoletis cerasi Action 

Plan Summary

Rhagoletis cerasi Detected: 

1. 81-square mile area delimiting grid/survey initiated—less than this if 

within an existing sterile PRP (approximately 9 mi2 depending on the 

infestation level).

2. Fruit cutting conducted within 200 m of fly finds (larval survey) for three

life cycles while hosts are available.

3. Ground applied bait sprays conducted within 200 m of fly finds for three

life cycles (optional).

4. If triggers are not reached after three life cycles: no quarantine action or 

further survey/treatments.

5. If triggers are reached: 

a. Initiate quarantine/regulatory action within 4.5 mile radius of fly 

finds.

b. Conduct larval survey around fly finds for three life cycles out to 

200 m.

c. Based on pest risk, terrain, topography and available hosts, conduct 

ground applied bait sprays within 200 m of fly finds for three life 

cycles or aerial applications of pesticides within a 0.56 mi radius of 

fly finds.

d. After three negative life cycles of trapping, release area from 

quarantine and all corresponding regulations.

Appendix

B
2018-03 R. cerasi C-1

Instructions for Fruit and 

Vegetable Growers inside 

the Fruit Fly Quarantine 

Area

Thirty-Day Pre-Harvest Treatment Program for Fresh Fruit and 

Vegetables 

GF-120 NF or Malathion/Nu-Lure® Bait Treatments

1. If your farm is within the fruit fly quarantine area, but not in the 0.5 mile arc 

core area, and your crop is on the host list, you must sign a compliance 

agreement with the Fruit Fly Eradication Program and follow a specific 30-

day pre-harvest bait-spray treatment before harvesting your produce. Please 

call the Program Regulatory Office to sign a compliance agreement. 

2. Keep detailed records of your bait-sprays (i.e., GF-120 NF or malathion plus 

Nu-Lure®) purchases, use rates, use pattern and dates of application.

3. Bait-spray applications must begin 30 days prior to harvest, with applications 

made every 6–10 days and continued throughout the harvest season.

Note: If a quarantine fruit fly is trapped on or near your site (within a 0.5-mile 

arc) anytime during the 30-day pre-harvest period, you will be disqualified 

from the pre-harvest treatment option. Post-harvest treatments, if available, 

will apply in such cases. Examples of post-harvest treatments will include 

methyl bromide fumigations and cold treatments, among others.

4. There are only two approved bait-insecticides for fruit fly eradication 

programs: GF-120 Naturalyte® (Spinosad, Dow AgroSciences LLC, 

Indianapolis, IN), an organically certified mixture of spinosad and fruit fly 

bait, and malathion3 (various manufacturers) plus Nu-Lure® Insect Bait 

(Miller Chemical and Fertilizer Corp., Hanover, PA). 

 3 Not all crops or this defined application regime are listed on malathion labels. If your crop is not listed on the 

malathion label, it is illegal to use on your crop. Therefore, the GF-120 NF might be the only treatment option

unless a Special Local Needs label can be obtained under the authority of §24(c) of FIFRA for the use of a 

federally registered malathion product to meet special local needs of the program.

Appendix

C
Fruit and Vegetable Growers

2018-03 R. cerasi C-2

Instructions for Applying the Bait-Sprays

Malathion/Nu-Lure® and GF-120 NF bait-sprays

This must be applied at a low volume application either as a hand-wand type 

spot-spray or with ultra-low volume application equipment.

Spot-spray equipment for the bait-spray applications include a 2 to 4-gallon 

backpack sprayer and a 1 to 5-gallon (hand-wand type pump-up) sprayer. 

Larger capacity spray equipment (ultra-low volume) that can be adjusted or 

retooled to apply large droplet sizes (4–6 mm) may be used; however, contact 

the Program Regulatory office to be sure your application method meets the 

application requirements for the harvest certification program.

GF-120 NF Naturalyte® fruit fly bait (EPA Reg. No. 62719-498)

This is used as a very low volume hand-wand–type spot-spray application. 

This is NOT a high volume air-blast or high volume hand-gun type 

application. You must follow the label directions on the concentrations and 

mixing.

The proper GF-120 NF rate is 20 oz of GF-120 NF mixed with 30 oz of water 

(this is a dilution rate of 1:1.5) per acre. The reasons for this rate and dilution 

are as follows: 

a. This is the most effective concentration (i.e., attracts and kills fruit 

flies better).

b. The efficacy of GF-120 NF lasts longer at this rate.

c. At this dilution rate (1:1.5), the material is least affected by rain.

Application Directions:

1. Use a large spray droplet size (4–6 mm). Set your nozzle tip or use nozzle 

tips that provide large droplets. 

2. Calibrate your spray equipment to deliver sufficient amounts with every 

burst of spray so that you can distribute 50 oz of material (20 oz GF-120 + 

30 oz water) throughout an acre of plants. 

3. Direct the bait spray to one or two spots (areas) on the inner canopy of the 

plant, spraying the underside of leaves on the inside of the canopy. This 

reduces the direct sun exposure and the potential for washing off of the 

material by rainfall. The idea is to create an area where a fruit fly would 

feed on the bait/insecticide and perish. This is not a contact insecticide.

4. The pattern of application throughout the treated acre may depend upon 

plant type, size and spacing. The perimeter and inside of the planting 

should be sprayed. The main goal is to be sure to equally distribute the 50 

oz of bait spray (20 oz GF-120 + 30 oz water) throughout the entire one
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2018-03 R. cerasi C-3

acre. 

♦ For example: In tree crops, spot treat every third or fourth tree around 

the perimeter, then inside the acre, spray every fourth to fifth tree in 

every fourth row. To be most effective, the pattern should change 

slightly with each successive application

♦ For example: In vegetable crops, spot treat the perimeter and then spot 

treat at a reasonable distance down every fifth or sixth row. To be most 

effective, the pattern should change slightly with each successive 

application

The REI (restricted entry interval) and pre-harvest interval for GF-120 NF 

is four hours.

Malathion plus Nu-Lure® Insect Bait mixture

The only approved insecticide to mix with Nu-Lure® Insect Bait is malathion. 

There are numerous malathion brands with different amounts of active 

ingredients (a.i.). Use a malathion product that is labeled for your crop. 

However, you must apply 0.18 lbs of a.i. per acre. The amount of product that 

is applied per acre will vary with the malathion formulation you purchase.

Following are some examples using the formula to calculate the amount of 

product you need to apply 0.18 lbs a.i. malathion per acre: 

♦ GOWAN® Malathion 8 Flowable—8 lbs a.i./gallon (128 oz)

8 lbs a. i.⁄gallon

128 oz/gallon = Need 0.18 lbs⁄acreX oz

X = 2.9 oz/acre

♦ Bonide® Malathion—4.37 lbs a.i./gallon (128 oz)

4.37 lbs a. i.⁄gallon

128 oz/gallon = Need 0.18 lbs⁄acre

X oz

X = 5.3 oz/acre

Table C-1 Example of Malathion and Nu-Lure® rates per 1-acre application

Brand lbs a.i./gallon Malathion 

rate/acre

Nu-Lure® Amount of water 

per acre

Gowan Malathion 8 8.00 2.9 oz 9.6 oz 10–40 gallons

Bonide Malathion 4.37 5.3 oz 9.6 oz 10–40 gallons

It is critical to follow the label directions on the rates allowed per application, 

number of applications allowed per year and the application interval. If the 

interval is long (i.e., every 30 days) or the number of applications allowed in a 
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2018-03 R. cerasi C-4

year too low (i.e., no more than four), then the Malathion must be rotated with the 

GF-120 applications.

This is also a low volume application and may be applied in the same way as the 

GF-120 NF spot treatment type application or with spray equipment that is 

capable of applying 10–40 gallons of material (Malathion/Nu-Lure® plus water) 

per acre with the proper droplet size (4–6 mm). Contact the Program Regulatory 

office to be sure it meets the application requirements for the harvest certification 

program. 

Malathion products must be applied at the rate of 0.18 lbs per acre as a foliar baitspray treatment at a 6 to 10-day interval for the 30-day pre-harvest treatment, and 

continued at intervals of 6 to 10 days throughout the harvest season.

♦ The water used for the solution should be buffered to pH 7.0 with an 

available buffer material

♦ You must mix the Malathion with Nu-Lure® Insect Bait. Follow the label 

and calculations above for proper use and rates. The Nu-Lure® rate is 9.6 

fl oz/acre

♦ Mix the Malathion plus the Nu-Lure® in 10 to 40 gallons of water. Apply 

the bait spray as a spot spray equally throughout the acre, treating the 

perimeter and inside of the planting in a similar pattern to the GF-120 NG 

application described above

♦ Growers with crops not listed on a Malathion label should use the GF-120 

NF

The effectiveness of Nu-Lure® may be decreased or slowed when applied over 

copper spray residues or when sprayed in tank mixes with copper. 

In addition to the bait-insecticide application procedures, all producers must 

follow the compliance agreement for moving produce from their farm in and out 

of the quarantine area. 
2018-03 R. cerasi D-1

Current Grower Practices 

in Place for Other Cherry 

Pests

Current management practices in cherry growing regions in the U.S. include the 

following:

♦ Dimethoate and acetamiprid are currently registered for use in cherry to 

control fruit flies in the United States (Castagnoli et al., 2016; Wiman et al., 

2016; WSU, 2016)

♦ Additional insecticides that are currently registered for control of fruit fly in 

cherry in the United States include the following:

 Carbamates

 Diamides

 Organophosphates – malathion (see local recommendations; contact 

local extension for approved labels)

 Neonicotinoids

 Pyrethroids

 Spinosyns

(Castagnoli et al., 2016; Wiman et al., 2016; WSU, 2016)

Appendix

D
2018-03 R. cerasi Authors-1

Authors and Reviewers

Authors

Jennifer C. Cook, Ph.D., NCSU–CIPM

Jaap van Kretschmar, Ph.D., NCSU–CIPM

Editor

Katie Hurst Deutsch, NCSU–CIPM

Reviewers

Kenneth Bloem, Ph.D., USDA–APHIS–PPQ–S&T

Claudia Daniel, Ph.D., Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL

Lisa Jackson, USDA–APHIS–PPQ–S&T

Heather Moylett, USDA–APHIS–PPQ–S&T

John C. Stewart, USDA–APHIS–PPQ–PHP

Cover Image

Rhagoletis cerasi on cherry and on a leaf (image credit Stephanie A. Hill,

Mississauga, Ontario)

Cherry damage from R. cerasi pupae (image credit Claudia Daniel, Research 

Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL)

R. cerasi