[Background] Bactracera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an important quarantine pest, with wide occurrence and causing serious damage. The effect of low temperatures on eclosion of the fruit fly B. dorsalis is not reported. [Method] The effect of low temperatures on eclosion of B. dorsalis were studied in the laboratory by setting different temperatures (8℃, 4℃, 0℃ and -4℃) and time treatments (12 h, 18 h and 24 h). [Result] The emergence rate of B. dorsalis decreased from 100.0% under normal temperature (28℃) to 6.7% at 0℃. The period of eclosion time also increased, from 9.0 days under normal temperature (28℃) to 12.5 days at 0℃. When the temperature was -4℃, B. dorsalis was unable to emerge. [Conclusion and significance] B. dorsalis demonstrated poor cold tolerance. This is useful for defining the distribution limits for B. dorsalis.