Development and evaluation of a non-chemical pest management system for bitter gourd with emphasis on fruit fly

Some non-chemical pest management modules against fruit fly on bitter gourd were developed by incorporating natural components like plant fractions, barrier and trap crop, plant diversity, biopesticide, bait-traps, straw mulch, phytosanitation etc. and tried against the pest. The components of the modules effectively checked the infestation and damage of the important pests like fruit fly (8.8 - 9.2% infested fruit), white fly (0.3 - 0.7/leaf), jassid (1.1 - 1.4/leaf), aphid (3.2 - 3.7/leaf), thrips (1.4 - 1.8/leaf), leaf webber (6.2 -10.0% infested plant), red pumpkin beetle (0.5 - 0.7/plant) and epilachna (1.1 - 1.5/plant) and registered good yields. Results showed that the non-chemical modules effectively checked the growth and development of the pest populations and their subsequent damage. They were also cost-effective and safe to natural enemies and pollinators.