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Bactrocera cucurbitae - Melon Fruit Fly lure

Bactrocera cucurbitae - Melon Fruit Fly pheromone Lure

Bactrocera cucurbitae (melon fruit fly), a major pest in cucurbit crops. Know its lifecycle, damage symptoms, and control using pheromone traps.

Overview:

Bactrocera cucurbitae, also known as the melon fruit fly, is a serious pest affecting cucurbitaceous crops such as bitter gourd, cucumber, pumpkin, and ridge gourd. Native to tropical Asia, it is now widespread in India and other warm regions. Infestation leads to severe yield losses and reduced fruit marketability.

Host Crops:

  • Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

  • Cucumber

  • Pumpkin

  • Bottle gourd

  • Ridge gourd

  • Snake gourd

  • Melon

  • Zucchini

  • Squash

Damage Symptoms:

  • Oviposition marks (small puncture holes) on fruit skin

  • Premature fruit dropping

  • Internal fruit rotting due to larval feeding

  • Secondary fungal/bacterial infections

  • Visible maggots inside harvested fruits

👉 Economic losses can reach up to 50–100% if not controlled during peak season.

Lifecycle of Bactrocera cucurbitae:

  1. Egg: Laid inside fruit tissue by the female fly

  2. Larva (Maggot): Feeds on pulp, causing fruit decay

  3. Pupa: Develops in soil

  4. Adult Fly: Emerges in 7–10 days; lives up to 1–2 months

🕒 One complete lifecycle can take 15–20 days under warm conditions.

Monitoring & Control Methods:

✅ Pheromone Traps (Highly Effective IPM Tool)

Use Cue-Lure based pheromone traps like:

  • Mac-Phail Trap

  • Bottle Trap

  • Fly Catcher Trap

✅ Cultural Practices:

  • Regular harvesting and destruction of infested fruits

  • Deep ploughing to expose and kill pupae

  • Use of fruit fly-resistant cultivars (where available)

 

Why Use Pheromone Traps from Pheromonetrap.in?

  • Compatible with Cue-Lure for Bactrocera cucurbitae

  • Long-lasting, weather-resistant trap designs

  • Ideal for organic and conventional farming

  • Supports early detection and population suppression