Bactrocera cucurbitae (MELON FLY)

Pest Identification:

Adult melon fruit flies are similar in size to houseflies, about 6–8 mm long.
The body is light brown to a honey color in appearance.
There are several prominent bright yellow markings on the thorax (upper body) and a distinctive black 'T' pattern at the base of the abdomen (lower body).
The wings are clear, with a dark coastal vein and a "melon seed" shaped spot at the tip 

Damage

• Melon fly cannot be controlled by pesticide spray.
• It prefers young, green, and tender fruits for egg-laying.
• The females lay the eggs 2 to 4 mm deep in the fruit pulp, and the maggots feed inside the developing fruits.
• At times, the eggs are also laid in the corolla of the flower, and the maggots feed on the flowers. A few maggots have also been observed to feed on the stems.
• The fruits attacked in early stages fail to develop properly and drop or rot on the plant.
• Since the maggots damage the fruits internally, it is difficult to control this pest with insecticides.
• One female may lay over 1,000 eggs during her life.
• Oviposition peaks occur in the morning and late afternoon. Eggs hatch in about 24 hours.

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Control Measures:

• ​​Set up GLPS Easy fruit fly trap/GLPS Maxfill Trap with GLPS Mr.Melon fly pheromone Lure to monitor, attract and kill the male melon flies @5-8nos per acre
   

​Pheromone Lure Details