Pest profile

African Fig Fly

Zaprionus indianus · Diptera: Drosophilidae[2]

The African fig fly is an invasive vinegar fly that infests damaged fruit and some ripening crops like figs and caneberries.[1]

African fig fly, a light brown fly with white stripes on the head and thorax and red eyes, on a leaf
African fig fly, a light brown fly with white stripes on the head and thorax and red eyes, on a leaf. (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • It's about 2 mm, light brown to yellow, with black-edged white stripes on the head and thorax visible to the naked eye.[1]
  • It has bright red eyes and clear wings.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Spotted-wing drosophilaThe African fig fly is slightly larger, has white stripes and often shows up in fruit SWD has already damaged.[1]

Where it lives

Originally from Africa, it reached the U.S. through Florida in 2005 and Kentucky in 2012.[1]

US map: public records from 19 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It's linked to more than 80 plants; larvae turn up in blackberries, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, figs and tomatoes.[1]

It can't cut into intact fruit skin, so it often uses fruit damaged by other insects.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Infested fruit becomes leaky and soft.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on fruit; UK Extension mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Grow early-ripening varieties, since numbers stay low until fall, and refrigerate fruit after harvest.[1]

Sanitation

Remove old and damaged fruit, and seal discards in a plastic bag in the sun or freezer for 24 hours before composting.[1]

Common questions

What are the striped little flies in my figs?
Likely African fig flies, which have white stripes on the head and thorax.[1]
How do I keep them out of berries?
Pick clean, remove damaged fruit and refrigerate the harvest.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Kentucky Entomology (ENTFACT), “African Fig Fly (ENTFACT-232).” entomology.mgcafe.uky.edu/ef232 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Zaprionus indianus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/333873 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.