Bactrocera moluccensis (Perkins)
Male B. moluccensis (Photo: S. Wilson)
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in Papua New Guinea (but not yet recorded from Manus or from the Highlands) and Solomon Islands.
HOST PLANTS: It has been consistently bred from one host species: Tahitian chestnut (Caesalpinaceae: Inocarpus fagifer), though its actual host range is probably more extensive.
BIOLOGY: Contrary to other species that infest only the outer fleshy part of Tahitian chestnut, B. moluccensis larvae damage the entire fruit, including the inner nut.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: This species and mango fly collectively account for 28-42% infestation on 20% of Polynesian chestnuts around Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
MALE LURE: Cue-lure.
QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE: Cue-lure trapping and regular host fruit surveys of Tahitian chestnut.
OPTIONS FOR RESPONSE (If newly discovered in a country): Increased trapping, increased host fruit sampling, restriction of fruit movement, protein bait spraying.
CONTROL: Fruit bagging, protein bait spraying, destruction of fallen and overripe fruits, early harvest of mature green 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