Mexican Fruit Fly

Mexican Fruit Fly

The Mexican fruit fly (MexFly) is an invasive insect that is harmful to local agriculture, home gardens and produce, and the environment.

Adult Mexican fruit flies are slightly larger than a house fly, about 1 cm (0.38 inches) long. The body color is a pale orange-yellow with two to three whitish stripes along the thorax.

Host Fruit

In the event of a quarantine, some of the products affected include:

  • Apples
  • Apricots 
  • Avocado (Hass exempt)
  • Cherimoya
  • Citrus (some varieties exempt)
  • Guava
  • Passionfruit and other subtropical fruits
  • See the full list of Mexican Fruit Fly host fruit.

Quarantine and Treatment Information

A Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine will result from the presence of five wild adult flies, a mated female, or an immature stage.

As of March 2026, a Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine has been declared in the La Mesa area of San Diego County. 

To learn more and see if you're located in an active Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine, visit the CDFA Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine page or click on the interactive quarantine map below. 

How You Can Help

  • Please cooperate with agricultural crews and allow them to access your property in order to help find and stop this pest. 
  • To prevent the spread of invasive fruit flies, please do not move any fruits or vegetables from your property. 
  • Fruits and vegetables may be consumed or processed (juiced, frozen, cooked, or ground in the garbage disposal) at the property where picked. 
  • If not consumed or processed, please dispose of fruits and vegetables by double-bagging in plastic bags and placing in the garbage bin for collection, not green waste.
  • Please report suspicious pests to CDFA's Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899 or reportapest@cdfa.ca.gov.