Metallic-green tomato fly

The metallic-green tomato fly (Lamprolonchaea brouniana) is an agricultural pest similar to the fruit fly and ferment fly.

Background

This species is a pest of tomatoes in Australia, targeting overripe fruit. Other hosts are melons, pumpkins, and cow manure.

The metallic-green tomato fly does not seem to have spread elsewhere, although several countries including New Zealand, have listed it as an unwanted alien species.

Impacts

Maggots enter only through injuries to their host. It is important to prevent mechanical damage, and insects such as tomato fruit caterpillar, from injuring crops.

These flies are not a disease vector.

Identification

Larvae are about 6mm long, pointed at the head and thickening to a blunt tail. They assume reddish colour after feeding.

Pupae are 3mm long, and a reddish-brown colour. They attack fruit and reduce it to a putrid mass.

Adults are 3.5 to 4mm long with metallic shining and golden-green bodies, except for their black heads.