Bactrocera moluccensis (Perkins)
![B molluccensis drawing.jpg (14156 bytes)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116111447im_/http://www.spc.int/pacifly/IMAGES/Species_photos/B_moluccensis_2_w.jpg) |
Male B. moluccensis
(Photo: S. Wilson) |
DISTRIBUTION:
Widespread in Papua New Guinea (but not yet
recorded from Manus or from the Highlands) and Solomon Islands.
HOST PLANTS:
It has been consistently bred from one host species: Tahitian chestnut (Caesalpinaceae: Inocarpus
fagifer), though its actual host range is probably more extensive.
BIOLOGY:
Contrary to other species that infest only the outer fleshy part of Tahitian chestnut, B. moluccensis larvae
damage the entire fruit, including the inner nut.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE:
This species and mango
fly collectively account for 28-42% infestation on 20% of Polynesian chestnuts around Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea.
MALE LURE:
Cue-lure.
QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE: Cue-lure
trapping
and regular host fruit surveys of Tahitian
chestnut.
OPTIONS FOR RESPONSE (If newly discovered in a
country): Increased trapping, increased host fruit
sampling, restriction of fruit movement, protein bait spraying.
CONTROL:
Fruit bagging, protein bait spraying, destruction of fallen
and overripe fruits, early harvest of mature green 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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