Population suppression of fruit flies (Bactrocera spp) in mango (Mangifera indica) orchards

By continuous trapping of fruit flies (Bactrocera spp. males) in 20-25 year old mango orchard (cv. Dashehari) during 2006-08 by using parapheromone-insecticide lure (0.1% methyl eugenol + 0.05% malathion) traps @ 10 traps/ha, also known as male annihilation technique (MAT), fruit fly catches declined significantly (>80%) in 2007 as compared with 2006. The fruit fly catches remained at a lower rate without any significant differences in average weekly catches during 2007 and 2008. Among the trapped species, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel was the predominant with highest seasonal catch in July. The other species, B. zonata (Saunders) attained its peak activity in May and its population was almost half that of B. dorsalis. In 2008, population of fruit flies in orchard where long term mass trapping of males was carried out was 83.4% lower than in the orchard where traps were not installed. In other field trial, four modules in combination with MAT were tested and all tested modules significantly lowered fruit fly infestation as compared with the control-orchard. Maximum protection (94.5%) was recorded with a module involving MAT+ sanitation+ soil drenching with 0.1% chorpyriphos+ bait cover spray (0.05% malathion + 0.2% Protinex). It was followed by the one with MAT + sanitation+ soil drenching (87.3% protection), MAT+ sanitation+ cover spray (81.8% protection), and MAT+ sanitation (65.5% protection).