| Species: | |
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Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) |
| Common Name: | |
|
Melon fly |
| Damaging Stage: | |
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Maggots/larvae
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| Crops Afected: | |
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Cucurbits, solanaceous and legumes
|
| Characteristics Damage: | |
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Attacks flowers, stem and fruits
|
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Eggs are deposited inside the fruits and tissues around the oviposition site become necrotic. |
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Eggs are hatched into maggots which live and develop inside the fruit, internal feeding causes yellowing and decomposition/rotting of the fruit. |
| Control and Management: | |
|
Monitor the area regularly.
|
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Maintain good field sanitation. |
|
Wrap the fruits with newspaper, paper bag or polyethylene sleeves to prevent females in laying eggs. |
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Suppress male population by using attractants (pheromones) like cue lure (4-(p-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone) or to methyl eugenol (4-allyl-1,2-dimethoxybenzene). |
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Spray neem seed kernel extract to deter oviposition. |
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Apply insecticides such as dimethoate (e.g. Perfekthion ®), fenthion (e.g. Lebaycid®) and diazinon (e.g. Parapest®) when necessary. |
| References: | |
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_fly |
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