Larvae Of Fruit Flies. III. Toxotrypana Curvicauda (Papaya Fruit Fly)

The papaya fruit fly, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstraecker, is primarily of concern only in papaya growing areas of the United States and the neotropics. It is the most destructive pest encountered by papaya growers. The papaya fruit fly was introduced into Florida in 1905, probably from the West Indies (Weems, 1969). The species is known to occur in southern Florida (as far north as Hillsborough and Volusia counties where papaya may be grown), southern Texas, and south through Mexico and the West Indies to Brazil. Papayas, both cultivated and wild varieties, are the principal hosts of the fruit fly, but occasional infestations of mangos have been reported as well. Toxotrypana curvicauda is the only species in the genus.