Record of melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on tomato : A case of host range expansion

Abstract

Survey in different tomato fields from June, 2019 to February, 2020 revealed that the severity of fruit fly damage varied across locations as well as different tomato hybrids. Abhinav has recorded highest mean per cent fruit infestation (57%) followed by Saaho, US-448 and Alankar. Meghdoot hybrid recorded lowest mean per cent fruit infestation (26.50 %) by fruit fly among five major hybrids studied. The pest load of Z. cucurbitae in tomato was maximum in Abhinav with highest mean number of flies (71) emerged from ten sampled fruits followed by US-448, Saaho and Alankar. Lowest mean number of flies (45) were emerged from Meghdoot. At two APMC yards, Kolar and Chintamani, the data collected from tomato growers also showed that highest mean per cent fruit infestation was observed in Abhinav (62.70%) followed by Saaho, US-448 and Alankar.