Cherry: Cherry fruit fly
categories: Cherry Cherry Insects Tree Fruits
last review date: 2026-03-22 02:17
Photo by: E.P. Breakey
Biology
Cherry fruit fly adults are brown to black flies with white bands across the abdomen. The wings are clear with distinctive dark bands. The fly is about 1/5″ long.
Eggs are laid beneath the skin of cherry fruit. Larvae are tapered, cream-colored to white maggots up to 1/4″ long. The larvae burrow and feed inside the cherries, destroying the fruit.
The maggots leave the fruit via an exit hole to pupate in the soil, sometimes remaining dormant for up to two or three years.
Adults emerge beginning around May.
Management Options
See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful problem management techniques.
Non-chemical Management
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!
- Parasitic wasps attack larvae. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill the wasps and other beneficial insects.
Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.
- Cherry fruit fly – present mid-May to last of July.
- Begin applications about May 20 to 25.
- When using malathion, apply at 10-day intervals and allow 3 days minimum time to harvest.
- When using spinosad, apply at 7- to 10-day intervals and make no more than 6 applications per season.
- Check spinosad label for minimum time to harvest.
- Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall.
- Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.
Approved Pesticides
Examples of pesticides that are legal for home use in Washington State are listed below.
The list may not include all products registered for this use.
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.
Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.