Family overview
Medium-sized with distinctly patterned (often banded) wings. Held away from body. Larvae develop inside fruit.
Among the most economically damaging insects worldwide — quarantined globally to protect fruit crops.
At a glance
Family facts.
Distribution
Worldwide
Habitat
Terrestrial · Plants
Approx. species
5,000
Notable members
Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), Mexican fruit fly, apple maggot fly