Keywords
Fruit fly
nfestation
Methyl eugenol
Meteorological factors
Bactrocera zonatus
How to Cite
Abstract
Bectrocera zonata (Saunders) is recognized as a polyphagous species and one of the most destructive fruit pests, prevalent in various regions globally. B. zonata has been documented to cause complete losses in diverse fruits, with an estimated 50-55% infestation specifically in guava fruits in Pakistan. Guava is often called the "apple of the poor" due to its affordability, widespread availability, and high nutritional value. Given its significant nutritional importance, guava is frequently marketed as a "super-fruit." In terms of production, it ranks fourth after Citrus, Mango, and Bananas in Pakistan. The primary objectives of this study were to ascertain the percentage of guava fruit infestation and to monitor the population dynamics of the fruit fly, B. zonata, under the influence of meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and sunshine. The experiment was conducted in a guava orchard from November to April in District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The percentage of fruit infestation was recorded as 43.7%, 33.75%, 25%, 46.25%, 52.5%, and 60% for November, December, January, February, March, and April, respectively. The highest infestation rate (60%) was observed in April, while the lowest (25%) was recorded in January. The population of B. zonata was monitored using methyl eugenol traps from November to April. The dynamics of Bactrocera zonata infestation were compared with meteorological factors, such as temperature, relative humidity, and sunshine. The lowest fruit fly population was 148 at 18°C in January, which subsequently increased to 480 at 29.4°C in April. The fruit fly population exhibited a positive correlation with temperature and a slightly negative correlation with relative humidity. Based on our current study, there is a need to employ insecticides judiciously and in accordance with expert recommendations, integrating them into an Integrated Pest Management program.