Question
Hi Jack, I am the expert on tropical plants here, but I need your help in a subject that no one seems to be able help me on, I have a Peach tree here in South Florida, and every year I have had a on going problem with a maggot infesting them; I have a beutiful peach and when it ripens, about half of them are infested with some type of maggot. I know the Med fly has been eradicated, but could you possibly enlighten me to what I am up against here?..thank you!

Answer
Nick,

There are numerous species of fruit flies, especially in a subtropical climate like south Florida. You may need to actually rear them to adults and have someone determine the species. If you place infested fruit inside a screened enclosure eventually adult flies will emerge and you'll be able to take them to the university for id (see below). Also, Med fly has not really been eradicated and could be re-introduced into Florida at any time. I'd contact the folks at the U. of Florida http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ and see what the status of Med fly is in the state and ask about getting your fruit flies identified.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com/