melon fly
A fruit fly species (Bactrocera cucurbitae) that is a known agricultural pest, especially for cucurbit crops.
The melon fly causes serious damage to cucurbit crops.
Okinawa succeeded in eradicating the melon fly.
ミバエ is the general term for fruit flies (family Tephritidae), while ウリミバエ specifically refers to the melon fly.
Katakana spelling is standard for this insect name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling using 蠅 (fly); rarely used in modern writing.
Kanji spelling using 蝿 (fly); rarely used in modern writing.
Compound of 瓜 (uri, 'melon') + 実 (mi, 'fruit') + 蠅 (hae, 'fly'), referring to its host plants. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.