5 Simple Steps to Manage Fruit Flies in Bitter Gourd

5 Simple Steps to Manage Fruit Flies in Bitter Gourd

What are Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are major pests that cause significant damage to crops like bitter gourd. These small insects belong to the Tephritidae family and are known for their ability to attack and ruin fruits.

Characteristics of Fruit Flies:

  • Appearance: Yellowish-brown body with transparent wings.
  • Life Cycle: Egg → Larvae → Pupa → Adult.
  • Climate: Thrives in temperatures between 25-30°C.
  • Soil: Prefers sandy loam and well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7.

Fruit Fly Symptoms in Bitter Gourd:

  • Small puncture marks on the fruit.
  • Deformed fruits.
  • Discolored fruits.
  • Rotted and hollowed fruits.

Fruit Fly Treatment for Bitter Gourd:

5 Simple Steps to Manage Fruit Flies:

  • Crop Rotation: Rotate crops to avoid planting cucurbits continuously. This reduces the pest population by disrupting their lifecycle.
  • Trap Crops: Plant alternate host crops like marigold flowers to trap the insects, reducing pest attacks on the bitter gourd crop.
  • Biological Control: Use neem oil or azadirachtin-based products to naturally control fruit flies.

Products Available:

FAQs:

Q. What are fruit flies?

A. Fruit flies are major pests that damage crops like bitter gourd. They belong to the Tephritidae family.

Q. What treatments are available for fruit flies?

A. Fruit flies can be controlled using insecticides like Spinosad and Lambda-Cyhalothrin.

Q. Is there any biological treatment available to control fruit flies?

A. Yes, Neem Oil and Azadirachtin-based products (like Katyayani Neem Oil) are effective biological treatments for controlling fruit flies.

Written by :- Dheeraj Rajendra Mahajan, Agristudent

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