Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) (Ceratitis capitata) is an insect pest of fruits and vegetables. It is a native of Africa and was first detected in Hawaii in 1910.
This is a species of fruit fly capable of causing extensive damage to a wide range of fruit crops. It is native to the Mediterranean area, but has spread invasively to many parts of the world, including Australasia and North and South America. Adult medflies lay their eggs under the skins of fruit, particularly where the skin is already broken. The eggs hatch within three days, and the larvae develop inside the fruit. While established in Hawaii, the US mainland infestations are quarantined and aggressively treated to prevent establishment.
For more information about this plant pest, see the CABI data sheet.