Geographical distribution, population density, and fruit damage due to pest, Silba adipata McAlpine (Diptera: Lochaeidae) on cayenne pepper in Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L). is one of the leading vegetable plants in Bali. The black fruit fly is a new pest species that strips fruit before it is ripe. Initially, the symptoms of fruit dropping were caused by fruit flies of the Bactrocera dorsalis (Tephritidae), however, preliminary survey results showed that the type of pest that attacked was the black fruit fly Silba adipata from the Lonchaidae family. This study aims to determine distribution, population density, and fruit damage caused by Silba sp. in Bali. Field research was carried out in nine districts/city in Bali. Meanwhile, laboratory research was carried out at the Integrated Pest Management Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University. The results showed that the S. adipata pest has spread evenly throughout all districts/city in Bali. The highest population was found in the Bangli district, with 22.09 individuals per plant, and the lowest population was found in Denpasar city, with 1.92 individuals per plant. Altiduinally, the highest population density was in altitude areas between 500-750 m above sea level. The highest percentage of attack and damage to small chilies due to fly attack was in Bangli at 41.33%, and the lowest was found in Denpasar City.