Evaluation of Eco-Friendly Pest Management Practices Against Melon Fruit Fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Tephritidae: Diptera) in Coccinia indica (Wight and Arn.)

The Ivy gourd Coccinia indica is the foremost underutilized vegetable crop in tropical countries. The fruits are attacked by the fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae to an extent of around 50% in the C. indica growing area of Madurai district. In order to manage this melon fly in an ecofriendly way four IPM modules were evaluated. Meticulous observations apparently exhibited that, IPM module M-III has proved to be the most effective practice against B. cucurbitae by registering lowest (8.38%) fruit damage with the highest (85.17%) per cent reduction over untreated control, followed by IPM module M-I with the fruit damage (25.85%) and reduction over untreated control (54.25%).