A comprehensive review on integrated pest management of melon fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae)

Abstract

The haphazard and irrational use of chemical pesticides has led to pest resurgence and pesticide resistance, posing a significant challenge in the management of economically important pests. Farming systems built on integrated pest management (IPM) can minimize the use of chemical pesticides and secure soil, plant, and human health by controlling pests at the same time. Bactrocera cucurbitae is a serious pest of cucurbitaceous crops including more than other 70 hosts. Though various control strategies have been developed against melon fruit flies, fewer efforts have been paid to establish effective and efficient integrated pest management programs. This review provides an overview of the life cycle and behaviour of melon fruit fly as well as a detailed analysis of the various IPM strategies that have been developed for their control. These strategies include cultural practices, such as weeding, removal of alternate hosts, and field sanitation, biological control methods such as use of natural enemies, and entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, B. pseudobassiana), use of botanicals (neem, jholmol), and chemical control measures, such as the use of pesticides.