Management
Biological Control
Very little has been reported on the natural enemies of BFF. Multiple researchers have encountered BFF pupae that had been parasitized by Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), but the implications of this were unclear since P. vindemmiae is a generalist that attacks more than 60 different insect species across Europe and North America. While this parasitoid is present in California’s Central Valley, nothing is known about its impact on BFF in this region.
Cultural Control
In the absence of biological control, orchard sanitation is critical and fig growers should make sure to remove and destroy any fruits infested with BFF.
Chemical Control
Chemical control recommendations are rather limited as well. BFF larvae inside of infested fruit are protected from pesticide sprays and there are no effective soil drenches for pupal control. Some researchers in the Mediterranean region have recommended the use of proteinaceous bait sprays. Two different bait sprays are registered in California for use on figs against flies, one utilizes spinosad (GF-120 Fruit Fly Bait, Corteva Agriscience) and the other spinetoram (Delegate 250 WG, Corteva Agriscience). Data on the specific efficacy of these products against BFF currently do not exist.
