Citrus Fruit Fly
The citrus fruit fly is one of the most dangerous insects and pests of citrus. Fruit flies are caused by the fruit turning yellow and dropping early. The fruit fly is as big as a housefly. It is found in yellow color with dark brown and black markings on the body part where the wings are attached. Different methods are used to control fruit flies but one of the best methods is the fruit fly trap.
What is Citrus Fruit Fly
The citrus fruit fly is a major pest of the fruit. It is mainly distributed in the range of 24 to 33 degrees north latitude and 230 to 1850 m altitude. Insects mainly attack the fruit, causing poor palatability and premature fall. In the Xingshan area of Hubei province, the peak is from mid-to-late October. Its adult moth is very fast and slightly larger than a housefly. Its color is reddish-brown transparent and has two yellow stripes on the body. The length of the body is seven millimeters and together with the wings becomes 14 millimeters. The color of the eggs is similar to that of white rice grains. Larvae of the citrus fruit flies are legless. Invasion (March to April) and (July to August) is more frequent.
Fruit Flies How to Damage the Plants
The damage caused by citrus fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) is typically that of feeding punctures and tunnels in the fruit, which can cause discoloration, premature ripening, and rotting of the fruit. To prevent damage from this pest, it is important to regularly monitor your citrus trees for signs of infestation and take immediate action if you suspect an infestation. You can use sticky traps to monitor adult fruit flies or inspect the fruit for signs of larvae or small puncture marks. If you find an infestation, you can use insecticides to treat the affected area. Additionally, you can also use cultural practices such as pruning, sanitation, and maintaining healthy soil to reduce the number of fruit flies in your orchard.
Citrus Fruit Flies Life Cycle
The Citrus Fruit fly, also known as the Mediterranean Fruit fly, has a complex life cycle that involves several phases.
- Egg: The female lays her eggs into a host fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, and other citrus fruits, or even into decaying matter. The eggs are white and small, and they hatch in 1-3 days.
- Larvae: The larvae are small, white maggots that feed on the fruit or decaying matter. This stage lasts for 5-7 days.
- Pupae: The larvae become pupae, which are small, brown, and oval-shaped. The pupae do not feed and remain in this stage for 6-9 days.
- Adult: The pupae emerge as adults, which are small yellow-brown flies with black spots on their wings. The adults feed on the host fruit or decaying matter, and they live for up to 8 weeks. During this time, the females lay eggs and the cycle starts over.
Fruit Flies Control Methods
Citrus Fruit Fly Organic Control
After taking some measures Fruit flies are controlled through the Organic control method.
- Lightly mulch or plough the orchards from December to January so that the newborns in the ground are killed early.
- Their bees complete much of their breeding inside the fruit. Instead of throwing the ripe fruit around, dig a hole three feet deep and smother them.
- Keep pruning tree branches so that insects can make their shelters in them.
Citrus Fruit fl control through the trap
Citrus fruit fly control through a trap is one of the best practices. Making of fruit fly trap isn’t difficult. Simply measure the amount of vinegar. Pour about 1 cup of apple cider vinegar into a jar or small bowl. It doesn’t have to be exact. Add surf them. In Addition, add some drops of dishwashing soap to the jar. Do not mix. Install traps. Set traps in the area where you see fruit flies and wait for them to do their job.
Citrus Fruit Fly Chemical Control
The citrus fruit fly is one of the most serious pests in citrus production. To control the pest, chemical sprays are the most common method of control. This involves the application of insecticides such as diazinon, malathion, and permethrin. These insecticides are applied as a foliar spray, soil drench, or through a protected spray system such as a mist blower. In addition to chemical control, cultural control measures such as sanitation, traps, and barriers can also be used to reduce the population of citrus fruit flies.