The Tephritidae are one of the most agriculturally important insect families with the larvae of most species developing within living plant tissue. Some such as the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata) cause enormous damage to fruit crops and are responsible for the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars annually in California alone. In all, about 70 species of Tephritidae are considered to be agricultural pests.
Not all Tephritid flies are detrimental, however, and some are used as beneficial biological control agents of weeds, such as those of the daisy family (Asteraceae).
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