The Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata(Wiedemann), was reared at three larval densities in ripe mock orange,Murraya paniculata(L.), obtained from five locations in the field. Larvae and preadult survival decreased with increase in larval density.C. capitatafield infestation rates varied between locations from 0.5 to 148.4 larvae/kg of fruit. MoreDacus dorsalisHendel were reared from field collected fruits thanC. capitata. The weight of mock orange fruit varied between locations from 0.31 to 4.0 g/fruit. Survival and reproduction parameters are discussed in relation to availability of fruit in the field. We conclude that the availability of ripe mock orange fruit in the field ultimately influences the number of fruit flies that survive to the next generation.