REPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF QUEENSLAND FRUIT FLY BACTROCERA TRYONI FROGGATT IN DIFFERENT HOST FRUIT -- A FIELD ASSESSMENT IN SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Tephritid fruit flies are major economic pests and are an impediment to trade. Different host fruits are known to vary in their capacity for fruit flies to complete their life cycle. However, currently there are few reports that identify the capacity for Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) (Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)) to complete their life cycle in different hosts. Here, we harvested backyard fruit from infested areas and assessed how many adult flies could be produced from a kilogram of fruit after field infestation. We found loquat, kumquat, peaches and nectarines (in that order) produced the highest number of Qfly adults (>175 adults per kg). This knowledge will assist pest managers and the development of trade standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]