Efficiency of Para-pheromones in Attracting true Infesting Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Cucurbits

Author: Kishor Pujar, Priyanka, T. Elaiyabharathi and Archana B.R.

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Abstract

Survey was conducted in Coimbatore (11°14' 60.00" N; 77°18' 60.00"E) and Dharmapuri (40° 26.767' N; 79° 58.933' W) districts of Tamil Nadu, India, during June 2017 to May 2018, to determine efficiency of methyl eugenol and cue lure in attracting fruit flies in cucurbits mainly ridge gourd, bitter gourd and snake gourd. The present study emphasising to know the peak incidence and period to implement the management practices. In Coimbatore, methyl eugenol attracted males of B. dorsalis and B. correcta to an extent of 20.92 to 23.07 flies/trap/week and 4.73 to 6.13 /trap/week respectively. Highest population for B. dorsalis (23.07 flies/trap/week) and B. correcta (6.13 flies/trap/week). In Dharmapuri district, the mean catches of B. dorsalis attracted to methyl eugenol fluctuated between 20.46 to 20.94 flies/trap/week and for B. correcta it was 6.67 to 7.01 flies/trap/week. Cue lure trap catches of Zeugodacus cucurbitae ranged from 5.78 to 8.53 flies/trap/week in snake gourd and 5.46 to 5.78 flies/trap/week in bitter gourd in Coimbatore and Dharmapuri, respectively. The population of Z. cucurbitae was observed throughout the year and reached peak during 36th standard week (29 flies/trap/week) at Coimbatore in snake gourd and only one fly/trap/week was recorded in the 49th standard week in bitter gourd. In Dharmapuri, the highest population was observed in 36th standard week (21 flies/trap/week) in snake gourd and only one fly was collected per during 52nd standard week in snake gourd. The results from the present study indicated that Z. cucurbitae trap catches varied from crop to crop and region to region where the maximum fly catch was observed during cooler months (September and October) at Coimbatore and in Dharmapuri. The results insists to take a management practices before insect reaches the peak.

Keywords

Methyl eugenol, cue lure, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, Dacus ciliatus, Bactrocera dorsalis and B. correcta

Conclusion

The results of the present study showed the efficiency of cue lure in attracting the Z. cucurbitae which is the true infesting fruit fly and also revealed that methyl eugenol is not suitable for the cucurbit ecosystem. Based on the observations on the emergence of D. ciliatus, it was clear that, this species is unattractive for any of the lure and also can be a havoc for the cucurbit ecosystem. Based on the seasonal incidence pattern, the peak time of Z. cucurbitae incidence was understood and the management practices against this pest can be implemented before it cause drastic damage.

References

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How to cite this article

Kishor Pujar, Priyanka, T. Elaiyabharathi and Archana B.R. (2023). Efficiency of Para-pheromones in Attracting true Infesting Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Cucurbits. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 851-854.