Melon fly Host crops : Gherkin, Cucumber , Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Sweet gourd, Snake gourd, Ridge gourd, Pointed gourd , Sponge gourd, Pumpkins ,Mask melon, Watermelon.

Pest Identification: Adult Melon fruit flies are similar in size to a housefly, about 6-8 mm long. The body is light brown to a honey color in appearance. There are several prominent bright yellow markings on the thorax (upper body) and a distinctive black 'T' pattern at the base of the abdomen (lower body).

The wings are clear with a dark coastal vein and a melon seed-shaped spot at the tip.

Damage To Crop: It prefers young, green, and tender fruits for egg laying. The females lay the eggs 2 to 4 mm deep in the fruit pulp, and the maggots feed inside the developing fruits. At times, the eggs are also laid in the corolla of the flower, and the maggots feed on the flowers.

A few maggots have also been observed to feed on the stems. The fruits attacked in the early stages fail to develop properly and drop or rot on the plant. Since the maggots damage the fruits internally, it is difficult to control this pest with insecticides. One female may lay over 1000 eggs during her life. Oviposition peaks occur in the morning and late afternoon. Eggs hatch in about 24 hours.

Control Measures: Melon fly cannot be controlled by pesticide spray. Wooden blocks impregnated with cue lure or cotton wicks are placed in the trap along with malathion/DDVP soaked in small cotton wicks they are suspended in the middle of the trap to release the scent slowly in the atmosphere to attract and trap the fruit flies.

Pheromone Lure Details:

Dispenser - Wooden Block containing insect attractant

Material - Soft Wood Packaging - Individually

Sachet Packed Sachet Material - Foil Lined Laminate

Field Life Of Pheromone lure - 60 days