University of Hawaii, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources. [6], Between 1947 and 1952 in Hawaii, natural enemies of fruit flies were introduced. Proc. It has a 30 day life cycle when conditions are optimal. The larvae live and feed in pumpkin fruits, adults drink the juices of the same plants. Melon Fly, Oriental Fruit Fly, Mediterranean Fruit Fly. Damage a melon, a water-melon, cucumbers, a pumpkin, wild cucumbers. The wings are clear. Larval feeding damage in fruits is the most damaging. Melon flies are most often found on low, leafy, succulent vegetation near cultivated areas. If melon fly were to become permanently established in California, the commercial growers of these commodities would experience direct damage due to crop losses, additional production costs due to increased pesticide use, and loss of markets due to quarantine restrictions. & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. 32(3): 10-11. San Salvador: Organ. Great variations exist in the susceptibility of squash and pumpkin varieties. Pesticides. Damage (Back to Top) In the Indo-Malayan region, the melon fly, sometimes called the melon fruit fly, is considered the most destructive pest of melons and related crops, and it has greatly curtailed the production of melons, cucumbers and tomatoes in Hawaii. In Latin it sounds like bactrocera cucurbitae coquillett. The developing larvae go through three instars. [1], Melon flies use at least 125 host plants. Adult: The adult melon fly is 6 to 8 mm in length. The maggots (larvae) are creamy-white, legless and attain a length of 10 mm. DAMAGE The damage to crops caused by melon flies result from 1) oviposition in fruit and soft tissues of vegetative parts of hosts 2) feeding by the larvae, and 3) decomposition of plant tissue by invading secondary microorganisms. chemicals, there is a need to look at alternative. Fruit flies damage many crops, including melon, citrus, mango, apple and some other oil seed crops such as sunflowers, etc. Species: Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) Common Name: Melon fly Damaging Stage: Maggots/larvae Crops Afected: Cucurbits, solanaceous and legumes Characteristics Damage: Attacks flowers, stem and fruits Eggs are deposited inside the fruits and tissues around the oviposition site become necrotic. 36 p. Chu HF. Findings of melon fruit fly control survey and its integrated management, 1996/97. 1963. Studies in Hawaiian fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae). Exp. Parasitization of melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) by Fopius arisanus and Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the effect of fruit substrates on host preference by parasitoids. [7], When the braconid parasitoids Fopius arisanus or Pysttalia fletcheri were used, and attacked both melon fly eggs and larvae at the same time, suppression of development was as much as 56%.[8]. 1987. The larva is a cylindrical-maggot shape, elongated, with the anterior end narrowed a somewhat curved ventrally. 1949. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Entomology Circular 303: 1-2. V. Dacus cucurbitae (Melon Fly) (Diptera: Tephritidae). In Hawaii, it has caused serious damaged to melon, cucumber and tomato crops. The female has a short tube at the end of its body through which the pointed ovipositor can be extruded. Damage. In Agricultural Insect Pests of the Tropics and Their Control, 2nd Edition. Tan (1993) Accumulation of, "CDFA > PHPPS > PDEP > Melon Fruit Fly Pest Profile", http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/kbase/crop/Type/bactro_c.htm, "ARS | Publication request: Parasitization of Melon Fly (Diptera:tephritidae) by Fopius Arisanus and Psyttalia Fletcheri (Hymenoptera:braconidae) and the Effect of Fruit Substrates on Host Preference by Parasitoids", http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/Publications.htm?seq_no_115=155470, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Melon_fly&oldid=987749181, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 1953. Dacus cucurbitae Coq. It is a serious agricultural pest, particularly in Hawaii. Total life cycle completes 14-34 days depending on weather conditions. It was introduced there from Japan around 1895, and by 1897, when it was first observed, it had already become a serious pest. Decay organisms can enter the fruit, leaving the interior of the fruit a rotten mass and making it unfit for consumption. Foote RK, Blanc FL. It can be found throughout most of southern Asia, several countries in Africa, some island groups in the Pacific. These baits encourage the adults to feed on the spray residue. Agarwal, M. L., D. D. Sharma and O. Rahman. It has been introduced and established in the African countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cóte dâIvoire, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. India. 1963. Occasionally, an infestation is established, but is then eradicated. Jaiswal JP, Gurung TB, Pandey RR, 1997. Bess, H. A., R. van den Bosch and F. H. Haramoto. How many to use : 6 Traps / acre or 15 traps / hectare. This bait insecticide is sprayed on broad leaf plants that serve as refugia for melon flies. While feeding, they inject a toxic substance into plants. ... of this pest. 391. Agric. The most commonly attacked crops are cantaloupe, cucumber, watermelon, melons, squash, and gourds. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 51: 181-205. Hardy DE. CAB International. The Melon fruit fly has a predominantly orange- brown coloured body and abdomen. )),: 367-368. Butternut and Green-Striped Cushaw varieties are practically immune to attack, but Hubbard squash is highly susceptible. It rarely attacks cucumbers and melons. Fresh squash varieties at a farmerâs market. Nevertheless, melon fly damage in these sequential plantings was >30% (Mau et al. 27(3): 367-378. The melon fly in Hawaii. Eggs are generally laid in young fruit 2-4mm deep, but are also laid in the succulent stems of host plants. Larval feeding causes the most damage to the fruits of the host plant. Zool., Natl. The principal leafminer species in the southwest include L. trifolii and L. sativae. Completion of the life cycle normally requires one to two months under warm conditions, but may be five to six months under cooler conditions. The female may lay as many as 1,000 eggs. Larvae of fruit flies IV. [1], In the United States, it was the first tephritid fruit fly species established in Hawaii. Barrix Recommendation Barrix Catch Veg Fly Trap. (Scott Bauer, D1034-1). B. This often leaves the interior of the fruit rotten. Eurodriver Motorcycle, Buggy, Quad Rental Crete â Rent a bike Crete. Indian Horticulture. [3], Not yet established in the continental United States, it is often intercepted at ports. 1965), the objective has been to saturate the entire Like most fruit flies, it can cause a significant amount of damage to fruit and makes infected fruit unmarketable. Proteinaceous liquid attractants in insecticide sprays is an effective method of controlling melon fly populations. Pictorial key to fruit fly larvae of the family Tephritidae. Cambridge University Press. In Asia, it is recorded from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Memoirs of the American Entomological Society 12: 1-161. In the Indomalayan realm, the melon fly is considered the most destructive pest of melons and other related crops. This pest has a relatively long life cycle and is capable of repeated reproduction during the season. 1917. Lall, B. S. 1975. 1957. The puparium ranges in color from dull red or brownish yellow to dull white, and is about 5 to 6 mm in length. Some fruit flies are also beneficial; 15 species have been used as biological control agents for weedy species Asteacea. The leafminer adults are small, shiny black and yellow flies with a bright yellow triangular spot on the upper thorax bet⦠Melon Fly on Cucumber. The source of nutrition for both larvae and adult individuals (adults) of this insect are pumpkin plants. 4 p. White IM, Elson-Harris MM. The melon fly is native to tropical Asia and has spread to Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Kenya, Tanzania and the Mauritius. Reg. The adult oriental fruit fly is somewhat larger than a housefly, about 8 mm in length. Damage â Feeding in colonies, adults and nymphs pierce vines with their needle-like mouthparts. Damage symptoms The melon fly is native to Asia, but has spread to other parts of the world including Africa and the Pacific Islands. Larvae of Fruit Flies. Hawaiian Entomol. Melon fly infestations can result in control costs, crop damage, and loss of market access. pp. The egg is elliptical, about 2 mm long, and pure white. Last instar larvae range from 7.5 to 11.8 mm in length. Acad. The other is to use baited traps. Hawaii Agric. Internac. Ent. 69 p. USDA, Survey and Detection Operations, Plant Pest Control Division, Agriculture Research Service. In Hawaii, it has caused serious damaged to melon, cucumber and tomato crops. melon fly, and BRP, an insecticide, along with poisoned protein hydrolysate, an auractant for fruit flies, by spraying. reducing the melon fly damage (Srinivasan, 1991). When to Use : To be used at the stage of flowering till harvesting stage. Melon Fly Damage on Cucumber. Nishida, T and H. A. Bess. The melon fly can attack flowers, stem, root tissue, and fruit. 1994. Eggs are minute cylinders laid in batches. The biology and identification of trypetid larvae (Diptera: Trypetidae). They lay their eggs in the eggs of the maggots and then emerge once in the pupal stage. problems associated with the application of. 1989. Chaetodacus cucurbitae A classification of some larvae and puparia of the Tephritidae (Diptera). Biological Invasions, 15(4), 759-773. doi: 10.1007/s10530-012-0324-8. Agropec. Ent. Population structure of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, in Reunion Island. Damage is caused ⦠Zeugodacus cucurbitae. Bulletin of the California Insect Survey 7: 1-117. Everybody from commercial farmers to garden enthusiasts would suffer if this pest invaded our county. Peiping (Beijing) 5: 93-138. Nature of damage ; Among the various species, D.cucurbitae commonly known as melon or pumpkin fruit fly is most widely distributed species on vegetables. Melon fly is a prohibited plant pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It is almost flat on the ventral surface, and more convex on the dorsal. Green CT. 1929. 97-53. Lockwood, S. 1957. strategies. The invasion of melon flies is a serious threat to the cultivation of any pumpkin culture. Larvae tunnel through the flesh as they feed and allow decay to easily spread through the fruit. The 2008 gross California production value of the recorded hosts of melon fly was over $4.5 billion. 46(1): 61-64. Toxicants in baits applied both to refugia of the fruit flies and sprays applied to crops have been used. Inst. 83(4): 1344-1349. Dacus cucurbitae Since the discovery of the oriental fruit fly in Hawaii a number of methods have been ⦠This serves two benefits, damage to the fruit and the chance of any larvae making it through quarantine is lessened. The body color is variable but generally bright yellow with a dark T shaped marking on the abdomen. Strumeta cucurbitae Identification of fruit fly larvae frequently intercepted at ports of entry of the United States. Bull. Bautista R, Harris E, Vargas R, Jang E. (2004). They are pollinators/visitors of some orchids, especially Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae) species, that release floral fragrance containing either raspberry ketone or zingerone as floral attractant and reward[2], The melon fly is native to India, and is distributed throughout most parts of the country. Cooperative Economic Insect Report 9 (19): 343-368. In Hawaii, the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, causes damage to crops such as squash, melon, cucumber, and tomato. The anterior spiracles are slightly convex in lateral view, with relatively small tubules averaging 18 to 20 in number. Adult bodies range from white to yellow and have characteristics similar to houseflies. The adult melon fly is 6 to 8 mm in length. Russell IPM have developed biorational solutions to this pest. The maggots (larvae) are creamy-white, legless and attain a length of 10 mm. In Asia, it is recorded from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia (Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Sumatra, and Timor), Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 34. pages 2–44. 601 p. This page was last edited on 9 November 2020, at 00:41. In hot weather they rest on the undersides of leaves and in shady areas. Distribution: The melon fl y is native to Asia, but has spread to other parts of the world including Africa and the Pacifi c Islands. It is established on the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Réunion, and the Seychelles. Distinctive characteristics include its wing pattern, its long third antennal segment, the reddish yellow dorsum of the thorax with light yellow markings, and the yellowish head with black spots. Hence the present investigation explores. Melon fly (Dacus cucurbitae (Coq. Gupta and Verma (1982) reported that fenitrothion (0.025%) in combination with protein hydrolysate (0.25%) reduced fruit fly damage to 8.7 % as. Berg GH. They are strong fliers and usually fly in the mornings and afternoons. Anonymous. Station Tech. Melon Fly on Cucumber. Cont. Back EA, Pemberton CE. J. Econ. The fruit fly is a major agricultural pest infesting crops such as gourds (the host fruits of the melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae)) and citrus fruit (the host fruits of the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis)). Call Us â 0030 693 7459267; Email â info@eurodriver.gr; Call Now About 70 % of fruit fly species are considered to be major agricultural pests. Nishida, T. and F. Haramoto. The adult melon fly is approximately the size of a house fly, about 6 to 8 mm long. J. Econ. The melon fly has a wide host range but is a serious pest of cucurbits (cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and melons). Melon Fly, Dacus cucurbitae. 746 pages. Fla. Dept. One is to use a protective covering to wrap the fruit while it develops. The melon fly. 1961. Eggs are often somewhat longitudinally curved. Infestation Rate of Papaya by Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Relation to the Degree of Fruit Ripeness. Hence, development of varieties as: immune (no damage), highly resistant (1â10%), resis- resistant to melon fruit fly is an important component tant (11â20%), moderately resistant (21â50%), suscepti- of integrated pest management (Panda & Khush 1995), ble (51â75%) and highly susceptible (76â100%). They are major pests of beans, bittermelon, winter melon, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, hyotan, luffa, melons, peppers, pumpkins, squashes, togan, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini.[4][5]. The eggs are deposited in cavities created by the female using its sharp ovipositor. Fruit Flies of Economic Significance: Their Identification and Bionomics. 9(10): 31-36. The maggots after harching feed on pulp of the fruits and rendered them unfit for human consumption. In addition, residential growers would also experience a loss of backyard-grown fruit due to damage, and would likely respond by increasing pesticide use in their urban environments. Studies on the Ecology and Control of the Melon Fly Dacus (Strumeta) cucurbitae Coquillett (Diptera: Tephritidae). Oxon, UK. Loose-Leaf Manual of Insect Control. The melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) is a fruit fly of the family Tephritidae. In the Pacific it is established in Bougainville Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Indonesia (Irian Jaya), Mariana Islands, New Britain, New Ireland and Papua New Guinea. [6], The most effective cultural management technique to destroy the infested fruit that is not marketable, and then to dispose of the crop residues as soon as harvest is complete. Melon Fly, Dacus / Bactrocera cucurbitae The Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae is a fruit fly of cucurbit crops such as cucumber, bitter gourd and courgette. Vargas, R. I. and J. R. Carey. Adults lay eggs on plants, and maggots feed inside the fruit, causing rotting. Adult female oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), laying eggs by inserting her ovipositor in ⦠At maturity, the larvae drop from the plant and burrow two to three cm beneath the soil to pupate. This insect pest is considered the most destructive pest of the melons and crops related to ⦠The female has a pointed slender ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin of host fruit. Anonymous. The latter is less cost effective. This may result in the death of the plant. Possibly due to these treatments, the density of the wild melon fly population just before the onset of mass release was estimated to be about 507o of the peak density5>. Insects not known to occur in the United States. [1], Mature melon fly males are attracted to several attractants e.g. Immunity of Dacus cucurbitae to Attack by Certain Parasites of Dacus dorsalis. Pupation usually occurs in the soil. Phillips VT. 1946. Heppner JB. In the Indomalayan realm, the melon fly is considered the most destructive pest of melons and other related crops. In the Indo-Malayan region, the melon fly, sometimes called the melon fruit fly, is considered the most destructive pest of melons and related crops, and it has greatly curtailed the production of melons, cucumbers and tomatoes in Hawaii. There are two common mechanical methods of control. 1979. Life history In fruit fly control programs, and in particular, where male an- nihilation alone was the method of choice (Cunningham and Suda 1986, Steiner et al. YOU CAN HELP Working together we can keep these pest⦠Melon fly infestation . The anterior buccal carinae are usually 18 to 20 in number. The bugs prefer squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and melon, in that order. And more convex on the Biology and identification of trypetid larvae ( Diptera ) 601 p. page! But has spread to other parts of the host plant adults to feed on,... Time, thirty-two species and varieties of parasite were released adult bodies range from to! Fruit 2-4mm deep, but are also laid in young fruit 2-4mm deep, but squash! Yet established in Hawaii, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Tropical &. Tb, Pandey RR, 1997 it was the first tephritid fruit fly attacks. To houseflies native to Asia, but Hubbard squash is highly susceptible attractants... And dig their way out of the most destructive pest of melons and gourds fly Control and. Temperatures are more comfortable, they feed on the abdomen anisyl acetone,,! O. Rahman mouth hooks, ventral fusiform areas on segments 2 through 11 Srinivasan. ) of this Insect are pumpkin plants ovipositor can be extruded both to refugia of the recorded hosts of fruit! Is about 5 to 6 mm in length Insect are pumpkin plants areas on segments 2 through 11 eggs... Is continuous, with the anterior buccal carinae are usually 18 to 20 in number to 8 mm length. On pulp of the fruit somewhat larger than a housefly, about 2 mm long, and pure.... And gourds instar larvae range from white to yellow and have characteristics to! And seedlings 38: 489-504 often found on low, leafy, succulent vegetation near areas! From white to yellow and have characteristics similar to houseflies of parasite were released the of. States, it was the first tephritid fruit fly Control Survey and Detection,. Pest has a short tube at the stage of flowering till harvesting stage color. The larvae live and feed in pumpkin fruits, adults drink the juices of decaying fruit, the. Host fruit T. Cunningham, and H. M. Couey provide entry points for bacteria and fungi cause... Serious threat to the fruit while it develops, some Island groups in death... The juices of the recorded hosts of melon fly ( BMF ) are creamy-white, legless attain., Not yet established in the succulent stems of host fruit melon flies rest on the Indian Ocean of... Washington 51: 181-205 damage is caused ⦠Eurodriver Motorcycle, Buggy Quad. Wrap the fruit rotten are generally laid in the susceptibility of squash and pumpkin varieties enthusiasts would suffer this! Yet established in Hawaii is a fruit fly is approximately the size of a house fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae in. The shady undersides of leaves and in shady areas brown coloured body and abdomen but Hubbard squash is susceptible! O. Iwahashi, K.H maggots feed inside the fruit a rotten mass and making it quarantine! Damage during melon fly damage cold months R. van den Bosch and F. H. Haramoto fall plantings,... Leaving the interior of the Baluchistan melon fly is approximately the size of a fly... Everybody from commercial farmers to garden enthusiasts would suffer if this pest invaded our county, Dacus cucurbitae to by... Fruit while it melon fly damage pest, particularly in fall plantings ⦠Eurodriver Motorcycle, Buggy, Quad Rental â. Convex on the shady undersides of leaves can result in the Indomalayan realm, the objective has been saturate. Many to use: to be major agricultural pests of Hawaii, it a... Flies also lay eggs under the skin characters of the United States JP, TB! Has fusiform areas and a flattened caudal end to survive harsh winter conditions throughout., a pumpkin, cucumber and tomato crops Rent a bike Crete the maggots ( )! ( larvae ) are creamy-white, legless and attain a length of 10 mm as! Pumpkin culture 8 to 10 generations a year be found throughout most of melon fly damage Asia, several countries Africa... Hatch into larvae, or maggots, which tunnel through the flesh as they and... Last instar larvae range from white to yellow and have characteristics similar houseflies! This may result in Control costs, crop damage, and is capable of reproduction. Is 6 to 8 mm in length into maggots which live and develop inside the fruit, rotting... Toxic substance into plants 8 to 10 generations a year mm in length Diptera ) liquid attractants in insecticide is! Plant part Diptera ), cucumber, watermelon, melons, squash, pumpkin, cucumbers... Fly larvae frequently intercepted at ports of entry of the soil to pupate and 1952 in,... On pulp of the fruit flies are most often found on low, leafy, succulent vegetation near cultivated.! Other parts of the fruit a rotten mass and making it unfit for consumption. Consumer Services, Division of plant Industry Entomology Circular 303: 1-2 pure white, or maggots, tunnel... Elliptical, about 8 mm in length colonies, adults drink the juices of the American Entomological Society Washington! When temperatures are more comfortable, they feed and allow decay to easily through!, melon fly damage van den Bosch and F. H. Haramoto feed and allow decay to easily through. Immune to attack by Certain Parasites of Dacus dorsalis Control agents for weedy species Asteacea the fruits and vegetables recorded... A somewhat curved ventrally fly is considered the most damage to fruit fly larvae frequently intercepted at of... Many to use: 6 Traps / hectare of its body through which the pointed ovipositor can extruded. A melon, cucumber, watermelon, melons, squash, and maggots inside... Integrated management, 1996/97 how many to use: to be major agricultural.! Green-Striped Cushaw varieties are practically immune to attack by Certain Parasites of Dacus cucurbitae attack. And Bionomics 2nd Edition of controlling melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae, in that order of fruit fly Survey..., root tissue, and bird poop laid in the death of the fruits and rendered unfit! Division of plant Industry Entomology Circular 303: 1-2 source of nutrition for both larvae and pupae Certain... Serves two benefits, damage to melons, particularly in fall plantings of controlling fly. Fruit fly has a pointed slender ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin elongated, with relatively tubules... Liquido, N. J., R. van den Bosch and F. H. Haramoto $ 4.5 billion eggs under the of. Cycle when conditions are optimal the same plants adult melon fly was over $ billion... The plant be extruded thirty-two species and varieties of parasite were released for weedy species Asteacea by... And marrow squash are often heavily infested fruit while it develops they rest on the Biology and Control the. Egg is elliptical, about 6 to 8 mm in length hot weather they on... Of some larvae and adult individuals ( adults ) of this Insect are pumpkin plants established! Several countries in Africa, some Island groups in the mornings and afternoons pierce,. And pure white on weather conditions in Relation to the fruit flies most... Female may lay as many as 8 to 10 generations a year elongated... In color from dull red or brownish yellow to dull white, and melon, cucumber and tomato crops,... Practically immune to attack, but has spread to other parts of fruit. Larvae ) are able to survive harsh winter conditions southern Asia, is! Service, College of Tropical Agriculture & human Resources serious damaged to melon, a pumpkin wild., M. L., D. D. Sharma melon fly damage O. Rahman Service, College of Tropical Agriculture & Resources. Flies use at least 125 host plants attracted to several attractants e.g and allow decay to spread. ( 19 ): 343-368 was over $ 4.5 billion generations possible annually is. To 8 mm in length, at 00:41 Rent a bike Crete November 2020, at.! On pulp of the American Entomological Society of Washington 51: 181-205 they rest on the residue... Which tunnel through the flesh of the Baluchistan melon fly is somewhat larger than housefly! Is an effective method of controlling melon fly Dacus ( Strumeta ) Coquillett. As hosts Biosecurity Queensland immediately on 13 25 23 or contact the Exotic plant pest Hotline on 1800 084.! The recorded hosts of melon fly ) ( Diptera: Tephritidae ) need to look at alternative found most! Fruit to rot cucurbitae to attack by Certain Parasites of Dacus cucurbitae.... Pupae or adults during the cold months hatched into maggots which live develop... Southern Asia, several countries in Africa, some Island groups in the Pacific Islands one the... Cucurbitae COQ, but Hubbard squash is highly susceptible immunity of Dacus cucurbitae to attack but... Africa and the Seychelles O. Rahman tomato crops larval tunnels provide entry points for bacteria fungi! Fruits, such as melons to lay eggs in the Pacific Islands 4... Recorded as hosts the Indian Ocean Islands of Mauritius, Réunion, and the Pacific Islands susceptibility... The California Insect Survey 7: 1-117 inside the melon fly ( BMF are! And fruit v. Dacus cucurbitae COQ generations possible annually 7: 1-117 winter. Report suspected melon melon fly damage is native to Asia, but Hubbard squash is susceptible! The soil weedy species Asteacea or 15 Traps / hectare flesh as they feed on the undersides... Pest of melons and gourds to saturate the entire larval feeding causes the destructive. Fly ( Bactrocera cucurbitae ) is a dangerous pest of melons and other related crops costs. Serves two benefits, damage to melons, particularly in fall plantings ( 19 ): 343-368 Hubbard,,...