Scientists have singled out the Mediterranean fruit fly as the most destructive alien insect introduced into this country. It contributes annually to the loss of millions of rands by the fruit industry. Western Cape loses R20-million a year to the depredations of fruit flies.Chris Weldon, of the University of Pretoria's d epartment of z oology and entomology, said the fly is able to tolerate harsh conditions, breaking down its stored body fat and metabolising it to release water when moisture is scarce."When they are exposed to dry conditions, with temperatures of up to 30C, they can deal with the stress that causes, including lack of water. It can survive in any condition into which it is introduced."Weldon said the Mediterranean fruit fly preys on more fruits, more than 300 species, than its two indigenous rivals - the marula fruit fly and the Natal fruit fly - and is the best at adapting to and exploiting its environment.Weldon's research, published by Pretoria University, found that the Mediterranean fruit fly is the world's most widely distributed fruit fly.It has established itself in various climates, from areas such as Western Cape, with its Mediterranean-type climate, to tropical regions in east Africa, across sub-Saharan Africa and in desert regions...