An integrated approach to manage melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) in bitter gourd

Experiments were conducted during 2010–11, 2011–12 and2012-13 atthe Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru to evaluate the efficacy of chemicals, botanical neem soap and bait sprays consisting of jaggery @ 15 g/L mixed with deltamethrin @ 1 ml/L and deployment of cuelure traps @ 15/acre against melon fly on bittergourd. Sanitation by collection and destruction of melon fly infested fruits was meticulously followed throughout the experimental period. Treatments were applied at ten days interval. Bait spray treatment coupled with sanitation and cuelure traps recorded the lowest fruit damage (14.38%) with a yield of 24.1 tonnes/ha. The rest of the treatments showed significantly higher damage and lower yield as compared to bait sprays. Hence bait sprays integrated with stringent sanitation and cuelure trap deployment @ 15/acre may well be an economically and ecologically viable alternative to chemicals and also could fetch over Rs 4 for each rupee spent.