Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) infestation makes banana crop vulnerable to Indian blue peafowls attack

Regular surveillance during March, 2013 in Mandya district, Karnataka, India revealed significant damage from Indian blue peafowls, Pavo cristatus (also known as peacocks) to standing crop of banana (cv. Grand Naine). Critical observation revealed that randomoviposition injuries by Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on few banana fingers led to premature ripening of fingers with distinct colour change. Such fingers attracted birds, P. cristatus in large numbers that inflicted damage to the standing banana crop suggesting that tinyoriental fruit fly oviposition punctures paves the way to peacocks.