Anastrepha grandis (Macquart)

Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (1846: 227) is one of 155 species of Anastrepha known to date. This fruit fly, which exists in several Central and South American countries, attacks watermelon and other fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae. Together with Anastrepha consobrina (Loew) and Anastrepha pseudoparallela (Loew), it also attacks the passion fruit. Once a pest of minor to moderate importance generally, in recent years it has become a rather important pest. The pest status differs in each country and has changed in the last decade. This species would seem to be potentially of economic importance in Florida and southern Texas should it ever be introduced there. It has been intercepted in the United States in pumpkin from Argentina and Brasil, and one adult was found in banana debris from Panama.