Evaluation of different concentrations of Cue-lure for effective management of the melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), in cucurbits ecosystem

Abstract

Aim: To identify the effective concentration of Cue-lure (CL) for efficacious management of melon fruit fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae), associated with the cucurbits. Methodology: Wooden blocks were soaked in different concentrations of Cue-lure (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), installed in trap bottles along with commercially used McPhail traps baited with tablet lures, were tested for higher trap catches, in the bitter gourd field. The infested cucurbits were collected from the fields and placed in insect-rearing cages to check for the emergence of the adults. Results: The mean number of flies trapped/trap/week (FTW) was significantly highest in 25% Cue-lure compared with the remaining concentrations along with Tablet lures. On the basis of adults emerged from infested fruits, Z. cucurbitae proved to be the major fruit fly species infesting bitter gourd, with a sex ratio (♂:♀) of 1:1.3. However, in sponge gourd, a ♂:♀ of 1:1.9 was observed for Z. cucurbitae and 1:1.27 for Z. tau. Interpretation: Z. cucurbitae is the most damaging fruit fly species for cucurbits in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. 25% Cue-lure solution was found best for mass trapping of responsive fruit flies. Key words: Adult emergence, Cucurbits, Cue-lure, Parapheromone, Melon fruit fly