Evaluation of insecticides against melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett on cucumber

Field evaluation of eight insecticides against melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett (Diptera: Tephritidae) was carried out on cucumber. The results revealed superiority of cartap hydrochloride 50%SP @375g a.i/ha, tolfenpyrad 15%EC @150 g a.i/ha and fipronil 5%SC @50g a.i/ha sprays in suppressing fruit infestation, both by weight and on number basis. When these insecticides were applied as bait in their field spray recommended doses mixed with 10% gur and water, maximum attraction and mortality of adults was observed with the cartap hydrochloride bait. The economics of the treatments revealed maximum incremental benefit of Rs. 14, 025/ha with cartap hydrochloride having an incremental cost benefit ratio (ICBR) of 1: 3.53. This was followed by Rs. 8630/ha with fipronil having an ICBR of 1: 1.61.