Controlling Bactrocera spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) Through Release of Parasitoids and Mass-Trapping in Orchard Agro-Ecosystem of Sindh.

Fruit flies of genus Bactrocera are devastating pests of fruits and vegetables among them Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are principal pests of mango and guava growing areas of Sindh. Field studies were conducted in mango and guava experimented orchards of Sindh to determine the effectiveness of Trybliographa daci and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata against Bactrocera flies in combination with mass trapping. Results shown significantly (P<0.05) maximum parasitization of T. daci (342.00±16.26, 320.00±14.85) respectively in EA-2 (guava) treated blocks at Hyderabad and Larkana. Whereas, minimum parasitization of both parasitoids were observed in the untreated blocks of mango at discrete regions. Furthermore, significantly (P<0.05) reduced number of B. dorsalis (510.00±118.57, 558.40±75.86) followed B. zonata (611.80±109.38, 680.00±40.50) respectively were found in EA-1(mango) treated blocks of Larkana and Hyderabad using mass-trapping technique for fruit flies. While higher number of both species of fruit flies were recorded in untreated blocks of guava at both experimental sites. Present Investigations suggested that in spite of expected results of both parasitoids releases and mass trapping other eco-friendly techniques are also necessary to reduce the amount of injuries caused by Bactrocera species in mango and guava orchards of Sindh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]