You pick up a container of fresh raspberries or strawberries, expecting a sweet and healthy snack. But then you notice something tiny and white moving inside one of the berries.
It can be an unpleasant surprise—but there is a reasonable explanation.
What Are the Tiny White Larvae?
In many cases, these tiny white, worm-like creatures are larvae of the spotted wing drosophila, a small fruit fly that lays its eggs inside soft, ripening fruit. Extension specialists describe the larvae as white, cylindrical, and very small—often no more than about 1/8 inch long.
Unlike ordinary fruit flies that are usually associated with rotting produce, spotted wing drosophila can lay eggs in healthy fruit while it is still ripening.
That means a berry can look perfectly normal on the outside while larvae are developing inside.
Which Fruits Are Most Likely to Be Affected?
These pests particularly favor soft, thin-skinned fruits.
Common
