Fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and B. zonata)
Most serious pest affecting export of fresh fruits
Female punctures the epicarp of mature fruits with ovipositor, insert eggs in clusters into mesocarp
Following hatching, larvae feed on the pulp of fruits; infested fruits though appear normal from outside, eventually drop
Fruit fly infested fruit
Fruit fly trap
Integrated management
Collection and disposal of infested and fallen fruits
Ploughing of orchards in November-December to expose pupae
Use of methyl eugenol pheromone traps (wooden blocks 5x5x1cm soaked in methyl eugenol , malathion and ethanol@ 6:4:1) are hung in trees during fruiting period from April-August @10 traps per hectare traps should be replenished at 2 months interval.
