Fruit-fly Problem and Solution

As soon as we observe some pest infestation in our crop, we get advice from agri-shop keeper for pesticide spray. However, in case of fruit fly infestation, you may not necessarily observe fly seating on fruits. You will find that some fruits fall down, look okay from outside but rotten from inside. You may also find some sting marks on developing fruits. In some cases, stings can be found on buds. If you are facing these problems, you should not use any pesticide. None of the pesticides is efficient for control of Fruit fly.

Newly developing Larvae just below skin of fruit

Fruits rotten inside.

If you are growing fruits that are known to host fruit-fly, you should install fruit fly traps before budding/flowering stage.

More than 125 fruit crops are known to host fruit fly.

• Oriental fruit fly ( a closely related group of fruit-fly that respond to methyl eugenol) infests fruits viz. Mango, guava, lemon, orange, kinnow, custard apple, papaya, banana etc.
• Melon fruit fly (fruit fly that responds to cue-lure) infests watermelon, muskmelon, bottle guard, pumpkin, bitter gourd, soft gourd and ridge gourd, beans etc.

Fruit-fly size and shape are similar to housefly except the fact that its ovipositor (from where fly lays eggs) is strong and visible. The life cycle of fruit fly is divided as Adult, egg, larvae, and pupa. Of this adults fly from one place to another, mate and lay eggs on or inside bud/ovary/fruit. In few cases, they are known to lay eggs in soft twigs too! The larva that comes out of egg eats the soft fruit tissues and exists from fruits. On reaching to the soil they form pupae below two inches from surface.

Fruit flies are considered devastating pests. If you fail to install traps on time, fruits fly can cause 90-95 % loss in yields. 

Fruit-fly trap has two parts. Lure and trap. Lures are loaded with sex pheromones. The sex pheromone is a substance that is released by female fly to attract male fly. A trap is a container that houses the lure. One can use even a water bottle as Trap.  Depending on the size of your field, you have to install at least 6 traps per acre. Lure need to replaced in every 45 days.

1. If you are growing crops like mango, guava, lemon, citrus, orange, banana, papaya, apple, peach or plum, then Click Here to purchase suitable lures and traps.
2. If you are growing corps viz. watermelon, muskmelon, bottle guard, pumpkin, bitter gourd, soft gourd and ridge gourd, beans, tomato, brinjal, capsicum, then Click Here to purchase suitable lures and traps 

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactrocera_dorsalis
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melon_fly