West Indian Fruit Fly Anastrepha Mombinpraeoptans Seín

The West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha mombinpraeoptans is the most abundant species of Anastrepha in the West Indies and one of the most abundant species in Panama. It was described originally by Seín in 1933 as a variety of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann). The type series was from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. First reported from Florida in the early 1930’s as an unnamed species, it is one of six species of Anastrepha recorded as native to Florida. A. mombinpraeoptans is a major pest of mangoes in most tropical countries, making the production of some varieties unprofitable. Some varieties, however, are little damaged. It, like A. suspensa (Loew), also attacks other tropical fruits of little economic importance in Florida. Its failure to extend its distribution further northward suggests that it is not a threat to Florida agriculture. It is intercepted frequently in mangoes and several other fruits from various countries. Apparently this species exists at a threshold level in Florida. Most recent Florida records are for several adult females in 1957 from Key West and one larva in mango from Ft. Lauderdale, June 25, 1963, which was identified by Dr. R. H. Foote as “Anastrepha species, possibly mombinpraeoptans.”