PUMPKIN FRUIT FLY (Bactrocera decipiens (Drew))
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116104738im_/http://www.spc.int/pacifly/IMAGES/Species_photos/B_decipiens.jpg) |
Male pumpkin fruit fly
(Photo: S. Wilson) |
DISTRIBUTION:
Known so far only from East New Britain province, in Papua
New Guinea.
HOST PLANTS:
Only one host recorded: pumpkin (Cucurbitaceae: Cucurbita pepo).
BIOLOGY: Larvae
of this species infest pumpkins, and can co-exist with melon fly larvae, but their rate of
development is much slower. Attempts to keep this species in laboratory colonies in Papua
New Guinea have not yet been successful.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE:
Damage assessments around Kerevat, East New Britain, show that up
to 24% of pumpkins can be infested with melon fly and pumpkin fruit fly. Species can
co-exist in one pumpkin.
MALE LURE:
This species does not respond to male lures.
QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE:
Regular
host fruit surveys
of pumpkins.
OPTIONS FOR RESPONSE (If newly discovered in a
country): Increased pumpkin sampling, restriction of
pumpkin movement, protein bait spraying.
CONTROL:
Protein bait spraying, destruction of damaged
fruits.
REFERENCES:
Drew,
R.A.I. 1989.The tropical fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) of the
Australasian and Oceanian regions. Memoirs of the Queensland
Museum. Volume 26. 521 pp. (Description and illustration).
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