H. V. Weems’s research while affiliated with University of Florida and other places

Anastrepha obliqua is a major pest of mangoes in most tropical countries, making the production of some varieties unprofitable. In the United States, it is found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and was once found in Florida. It is intercepted frequently in mangoes and several other fruits from various countries. This revised 5-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., J. B. Heppner, G. J. Steck, and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, June 2012. EENY198/IN355: West Indian Fruit Fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)

The oriental fruit fly is a very destructive pest of fruit in areas where it occurs. It is established in numerous areas in Asia, and is often intercepted in the United States, sometimes establishing infestations that were previously eradicated. This revised 6-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, J. B. Heppner, J. L. Nation, and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012. EENY-083/IN240: Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)

The cherry fruit fly (adult) or cherry maggot (larva) attacks cherry and causes wormy fruits. In Florida, it attacks wild cherries and is of little economic importance. Across its range, it breeds in all varieties of cherries including the sweet cherry. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2012. EENY-203/IN360: Cherry Fruit Fly, Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)

This rather large, yellow-brown, fruit fly with yellow and dark-brown markings exists in several South American countries, and attacks watermelon and other fruits of the family Cucurbitaceae. Once a pest of minor to moderate importance generally, it has become a rather important pest. The pest status differs in each country and has sometimes changed within a country. This species is potentially of economic importance in Florida and southern Texas should it ever be introduced there. It has been intercepted in the United States in pumpkin from Argentina and Brazil, and in banana debris from Panama. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.

The apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), also known as the apple maggot fly and “railroad worm,” is native to North America. Originally, it fed on the fruit of wild hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), but then became a primary pest of cultivated apples, especially in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Summer- and early fall-maturing varieties are particularly vulnerable, but hard winter apples are sometimes infested. Thin skinned sweet and subacid varieties are most susceptible, but acid varieties may be attacked. This revised 4-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012. EENY-261/IN505: Apple Maggot, Apple Maggot Fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)

This small, orange-brown fly with patterned wings, a banded abdomen, and a somewhat long ovipositor sheath, is one of six species of fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha that occur in Florida, or which have been established in Florida at some time. There is a distinct possibility that this species has not survived in Florida. This revised 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.

The sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), sometimes called the serpentine fruit fly, is intercepted frequently in United States ports of entry in various hosts from several countries. It is an important pest species in Mexico because its larvae infest sapote, sapodilla, willowleaf lucuma, and related fruits. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012. EENY206/IN363: Sapote Fruit Fly, Serpentine Fruit Fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)

Within its range, the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), is one of the most important pests with which vegetable growers have to contend. Although found in Hawaii, it is not present in the continental United States. This revised 5-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems Jr., J. B. Heppner, and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012. EENY199/IN356: Melon Fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)

This species is of great economic importance because of the wide variety of plants that it attacks and its extensive distribution. In most of South America, it probably is the most important species of Anastrepha. This revised 6-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.

The schoepfia fruit fly is native to southern Florida. It is known only from coastal counties of south-central Florida to Key West, and only feeds on fruit of the flowering plant Schoepfia chrysophylloides. This revised 4-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and J. B. Heppner, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012. EENY267/IN548: Schoepfia Fruit Fly, Anastrepha interrupta Stone (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (ufl.edu)