PUMPKIN FRUIT FLY (Bactrocera decipiens (Drew))
Male pumpkin fruit fly (Photo: S. Wilson)
DISTRIBUTION: Known so far only from East New Britain province, in Papua New Guinea.
HOST PLANTS: Only one host recorded: pumpkin (Cucurbitaceae: Cucurbita pepo).
BIOLOGY: Larvae of this species infest pumpkins, and can co-exist with melon fly larvae, but their rate of development is much slower. Attempts to keep this species in laboratory colonies in Papua New Guinea have not yet been successful.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Damage assessments around Kerevat, East New Britain, show that up to 24% of pumpkins can be infested with melon fly and pumpkin fruit fly. Species can co-exist in one pumpkin.
MALE LURE: This species does not respond to male lures.
QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE: Regular host fruit surveys of pumpkins.
OPTIONS FOR RESPONSE (If newly discovered in a country): Increased pumpkin sampling, restriction of pumpkin movement, protein bait spraying.
CONTROL: Protein bait spraying, destruction of damaged fruits.
REFERENCES:
Drew, R.A.I. 1989.The tropical fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) of the Australasian and Oceanian regions. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. Volume 26. 521 pp. (Description and illustration).
Page updated on: 17 October, 2002