Evaluation of eco-friendly techniques for management of melon fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Field trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of some eco-friendly techniques like poison bait spray and cue-lure baited traps individually and in combination for the management of melon fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) infesting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) crop during kharif 2011 and 2012. It was found that all the treatments were effective in reducing the fruit damage during both the years. Among these treatments, the combined treatment of cue-lure baited traps and poison bait spray proved the most effective for the management of fruit flies with significantly less fruit damage (20.92%) as compared to control (45.66%) and their separate applications 22.36% and 25.42%, respectively.