Diversity and Population Dynamics of Fruit Fly in Bottle Gourd and its Correlation with Abiotic Factors in Nagaland

Author: W. Shangkok Konyak, Hijam Shila Devi, A.K. Sahu, Yengkhom Suraj Singh, Hijam Meronbala Devi and Imtinaro L.

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Abstract

Fruit fly pose a significant growing threat to cucurbitaceous vegetables. An investigation was carried out to study the population dynamics of fruit fly in bottle gourd and its correlation with abiotic factors. Six species of fruit flies were identified viz., Bactrocera dorsalis, B. verbasifoliae, B. tuberculata, B. rubigina, B. aethriobasis and B. zonata. Among all the prevailing species, B. dorsalis was recorded as the most dominant and abundant species with relative abundance of 80.62% followed by B. verbascifoliae with 11.89%, B. rubigina with 3.16%, B. tuberculata with 2.64%, B. aethriobasis with 1.03% and B. zonata was the least abundant species representing 0.62%. The highest population of B. dorsalis was recorded during mid-July (31st SW) with a mean population of 60.66 flies/trap and was followed by another peak activity during 3rd July (29th SW) with 58.33 flies/trap. The lowest population count was recorded in B. zonata with a mean population of 2.33 flies/trap on 32th SW. Correlation analysis indicated that B. dorsalis, B. aethriobasis, B. verbascifoliae and B. zonata were found to be non-significant with all the abiotic factors. Whereas, B. tuberculata had negative significant correlation with maximum relative humidity (r = -0.898**) and B. rubigina had shown significant negative correlation with maximum temperature (-0.868*) and minimum temperature (r = -0.758*) but non- significant with other weather parameters. Monitoring of fruit flies using methyl eugenol lure proved to be promising and potential management tool in order to bring out a sustainable pest management of fruit flies.

Keywords

Fruit flies, Bactrocera spp, bottle gourd, abiotic factors, correlation

Conclusion

The study is an indicator that diverse species of fruit flies are abundantly attacking bottle gourd causing significant damage. B. dorsalis was recorded as the most dominant and abundant species followed by B. verbascifoliae, B. rubigina, B. tuberculata, B. aethriobasis, and B. zonata. B. dorsalis, B. aethriobasis, B. verbascifoliae and B. zonata were found to be non-significant with all the abiotic factors. Whereas, B. tuberculata had negative significant correlation with maximum relative humidity (r = -0.898**) and B. rubigina had shown significant negative correlation with maximum temperature (- 0.868*) and minimum temperature (r = -0.758*). Monitoring of fruit flies using methyl eugenol lure proved to be promising and potential management tool in order to bring out a sustainable pest management of fruit flies.

References

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How to cite this article

W. Shangkok Konyak, Hijam Shila Devi, A.K. Sahu, Yengkhom Suraj Singh, Hijam Meronbala Devi and Imtinaro L. (2023). Diversity and Population Dynamics of Fruit Fly in Bottle Gourd and its Correlation with Abiotic Factors in Nagaland. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 379-385.