Integrated Management of Fruit Flies: Case Studies from Nigeria

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, fruits and vegetables are attacked by various pests and diseases; notable among them is the problem of tephritid fruit flies. In Nigeria, fruit fly damage has undermined the dedicated efforts of farmers to boost fruit production. Damage caused by fruit flies significantly reduces marketable fruit yields and thus affects both local and export trade. Here we describe the species composition of fruit flies of economic importance in Nigeria and their distribution. The major hosts as well as the alternative hosts of fruit flies come from many plant families including the major fruit crops such as mango, citrus, guava, papaya, cocoa, pepper, and cucurbits. Seasonal population dynamics of fruit flies on mango and citrus generally showed that species from the genus Ceratitis reached their highest populations during the dry seasons while Bactrorera dorsalis predominated during the rainy seasons. Surveys showed that fruit fly management measures used by growers were not effective. National efforts were made through workshops to increase awareness of sustainable control methods for fruit flies of economic importance. This was later supported by demonstration trials in farmers’ orchards. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) options were tested for the suppression of fruit flies and included removal of dropped fruits and early harvest, application of the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) and the Bait Annihilation Technique (BAT). Future perspectives include the introduction of exotic parasitoids as a component of IPM for fruit fly management and the application of post harvest disinfection treatments for exported fruits.