Pest profile

Cherry Fruit Fly

Rhagoletis cingulata · Diptera: Tephritidae[2]

On unmanaged trees, most cherries can end up infested with cherry fruit fly maggots.[1]

Cherry fruit fly, a black fly with a yellowish head, a pale spot between the wings and dark-banded wings
Cherry fruit fly, a black fly with a yellowish head, a pale spot between the wings and dark-banded wings. (c) Jake McCumber, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are black flies with yellow heads, a bit smaller than house flies, with a white or cream dot between the wings.[1]
  • The cherry fruit fly's abdomen has four white crossbands; the black cherry fruit fly's is entirely black.[1]

Where it lives

UK Extension covers it on sweet and sour cherries, pear, plum and wild cherry.[1]

US map: public records from 14 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Flies spend ten months in the soil; adults emerge late May to early July, usually after rain wets the topsoil.[1]

Maggots feed about two weeks, then pupate 1 to 2 inches deep; there's one generation a year.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Infested fruit looks normal at first, then develops sunken, shriveled areas near ripening.[1]

Health risk

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

Control

Traps and physical control

Hang yellow sticky cards in trees in late May and check them twice a week.[1]

Pesticides

Eggs and larvae inside fruit are protected, so sprays must target adults before they lay eggs.[1]

Common questions

Why are there worms in my cherries?
Usually cherry fruit fly maggots, which feed inside ripening fruit.[1]
Can I spray once I see maggots?
Too late; sprays must target adult flies before egg laying.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Kentucky Entomology (ENTFACT), “Cherry Fruit Flies (ENTFACT-217).” entomology.mgcafe.uky.edu/ef217 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Rhagoletis cingulata taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/497933 (accessed 2026-10-06)

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