Sunflower Maggot Fly

Strauzia longipennis is a large species of tephritid fruit fly known by the common name sunflower maggot. It is a minor pest whose larvae mine stems of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.). Damage from larval feeding on spongy tissue is usually light. The larvae do not damage the flower head or seeds, although those of other fruit fly species do so.

Adults are about 6 mm long and a wing length of approximately 7 mm. (reasonably large for a Tephritid) The body is yellow to orange and the wing has orange to brown bands, usually forming a distinct F-shaped marking near the wing tip. The larvae are yellowish-white in color reaching a length of about 5 mm and spend around 30 days feeding within the host plant before overwintering in the base of the plant or soil as pupae. Adults are found from May to August depending on location.