Abstract: Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon) is a moderate pest fruit fly particularly in northern Australia where mango is its main commercial host. It was largely considered non-responsive to the known male lures. However, male B. jarvisi are attracted to the flowers of Bulbophyllum baileyi, Passiflora ligularis, Passiflora maliformis and Semecarpus australiensis and this paper describes an attempt to determine the attractive compounds in the latter two species through chemical analysis. At about the same time, zingerone was identified as a fruit fly attractant in the flowers of Bulbophyllum patens in Malaysia, and this led the author to speculate that it could be attracting B. jarvisi to the flowers of B. baileyi. Two long-term traps, each with lures containing 2 g of liquefied zingerone and 1 mL maldison EC were established at Speewah, west of Cairns, in November 2001 and retained until April 2007. Over five complete years, 68 897 flies were captured, of which 99.6% were male B. jarvisi. Annual peaks in activity occurred between mid-January and early February, when they averaged 1428.5 +/- 695.6 (mean +/- standard error) male B. jarvisi/trap/week. Very few B. jarvisi were caught between June and September. Among 12 other species of Bactrocera and Dacus attracted to zingerone were the previously non-lure responsive Bactrocera aglaiae, a new species Bactrocera speewahensis, and the rarely trapped Dacus secamoneae. Four separate trials were conducted over 8- to 19-week periods to compare the numbers and species of Bactrocera and Dacus caught by zingerone, raspberry ketone/cue-lure or methyl eugenol-baited traps. Overall, 27 different species of Bactrocera and Dacus were recorded. The zingerone-baited traps caught 97.799.3% male B. jarvisi and no methyl eugenol responsive flies. Significantly more Bactrocera neohumeralis or Bactrocera tryoni were attracted to raspberry ketone/cue-lure than to zingerone (P < 0.001). Zingerone and structurally related compounds should be tested more widely throughout the region.

Abstract: Host plants are listed for 76 species of Bactrocera and four species of Dacus, mainly based on field collection and incubation of over 20,000 samples in emergence boxes. Flies were bred from 241 host species, belonging to 139 genera in 63 families of Angiosperms. The majority of the samples were collected in eleven countries and territories under the umbrella of the Regional Fruit Fly Projects in the Pacific (RFFP): Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Previously published dubious host records not confirmed under the RFFP are listed and discussed.

Abstract: A pictorial key for 13 species of fruit flies under 2 genera namely Bactrocera and Dacus of subfamily Dacinae (Diptera: Tephritidae) is presented in this paper based on actual photographs of fruit flies collected from north western Himalaya of India during 2009-2010. Among these, Bactrocera diversa (Coquillett), Bactrocera scutellaris (Bezzi), Bactrocera tau (Walker), Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders), Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi), Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) and Dacus ciliatus Loew are the pests of agricultural and horticultural ecosystems. Bactrocera latifrons, Bactrocera nigrofemoralis White & Tsuruta, Dacus longicornis Wiedemann and Dacus sphaeroidalis (Bezzi) are the new records from the region of which host range has yet to be investigated. The pictorial keys developed for these species will help the researchers for their easy and accurate identification.

Abstract: During the course of studies, Bactrocera (Bactrocera) latifrons (Hendel), B. (B.) nigrofemoralis White and Tsuruta, Dacus (Callantra) longicornis Wiedemann, Dacus (Callantra) sphaeroidalis (Bezzi), Cyrtostola limbata (Hendel) and Pliomelaena udhampurensis Agarwal and Kapoor were recorded for the first time in Himachal Pradesh in a cucurbit ecosystem. Apart from these, other species viz. Bactrocera tau, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera zonata, Bactrocera scutellaris, Bactrocera diversa and Dioxyna sororcula (Wiedemann) were also identified. Distribution records of B. (B.) dorsalis (Hendel), B. (B.) zonata (Saunders), Bactrocera (Hemigymnodacus) diversa (Coquillett), B. (Zeugodacus) cucurbitae (Coquillett), B. (Z.) scutellaris (Bezzi) and B. (Z.) tau (Walker) has been described.

Abstract: New distribution records for 42 species of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) in Queensland are presented, resulting from exotic fruit fly monitoring from 1996 to 2011. Summaries of previously known Australian distributions are provided. Fruit flies were collected at cue lure and methyl eugenol traps and reared from host fruit. No new distributions south of Townsville were recorded for the economic species Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner, 1868), Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy, 1951) and Bactrocera musae (Tryon, 1927). Minor range extensions are noted for Bactrocera neohumeralis (Hardy, 1951) and Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt, 1897). Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon, 1927) is recorded being weakly attracted to cue lure in Queensland and the first lure record (one specimen from cue lure) is provided for Dacus (Mellesis) petioliforma (May, 1956). Taxonomic issues with Bactrocera melanothoracica Drew (1989) and Bactrocera unirufa Drew (1989) are discussed. Dacus (Neodacus) coenensis sp. n. is described and illustrated from Cape York Peninsula.

Abstract: In order to better control fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) attacking Cucurbitaceae on Reunion Island (21°6 S/ 55°36 E), biological characteristics (seasonal fluctuation, relative abundance, sex ratio) of communities roosting in corn borders were investigated. The study was conducted in austral summer across a range of altitudes (750–1150 m) corresponding to the main areas of cucurbit cropping. Living adults were recorded roosting on corn planted within or around cucurbit fields. Results showed a high variability in seasonal fluctuation of populations according to local conditions. Bactrocera Cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was the least abundant species (27%) compared to Dacus ciliatus Loew (36%) and Dacus demmerezi Bezzi (37%). Relative abundance of B. Cucurbitae was lowest ( 56%). Dacus ciliatus showed variable relative abundance (from 18 to 51%) depending on the experimental design (varying in location and in year). Sex ratio was also very variable from one species to another and from one experimental design to another.

Abstract: On Reunion Island, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), Dacus ciliatus (Loew), and Dacus demmerezi (Bezzi) cause severe damage to Cucurbit crops. The aim of the study was to test in field cages the effectiveness of Syneis-appât (Dow AgroSciences), a spinosad-based bait (0.02% of spinosad) on both attraction and mortality of young adults (6–9 d old) of these three species. The effects of gender were also evaluated for all species whereas the effects of protein deprivation were tested with B. cucurbitae only. For the first 15 min after application, significantly more B. cucurbitae adults (21.7 ± 1.8%) were attracted to the bait than D. demmerezi (7.6 ± 2.4%) and D. ciliatus (2.7 ± 1.4%); the subsequent response (30–75 min after bait application) of D. demmerezi was statistically similar to that recorded for B. cucurbitae; whereas the response of D. ciliatus to the bait was consistently significantly lower. Adult mortality was significantly higher for B. cucurbitae (94.6 ± 0.7%) than for D. demmerezi (85.7 ± 2.1%), and was significantly higher for the latter than for D. ciliatus (60.4 ± 4.4%). Sex had no significant effect on the mortality rate for each species. The efficiency of the bait was the same for B. cucurbitae adults regardless whether or not the diet included proteins. Overall, Syneisappât appears to be more effective against B. cucurbitae and B. demmerezi than against D. ciliatus. In Reunion Island, this bait could constitute a useful component in the framework of Integrated Pest Management.

Abstract: Introduction. In the water-saving and income-generating agroforestry cropping systems developed and promoted by the ICRISAT in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa, particularly in Niger, fruits of domesticated Ziziphus mauritiana ("apples of the Sahel") are severely damaged by fruit flies(Carpomya incompleta), and chemical pesticide application poses economic, environmental and human health problems. In the Bio-reclamation of Degraded Lands (BDL) system, apple of the Sahel is the main high-value crop, while in the Dryland Eco-Farm (DEF), it is grown alongside watermelon. Sclerocarya birrea (marula plum) is presently being investigated as a dryland tree species for fruit and oil production, either in orchards or such systems as BDL. Materials and methods. To complete preliminary results of earlier studies published elsewhere, we collected and incubated in 2010 ripe fruits of marula plum and water- melon in Sadore, Niger, where the above-mentioned agroforestry systems are developed, and we recorded emerging fruit flies. We also conducted a spot-spraying experiment (using GF-120) in an apple of the Sahel orchard in Niamey in 2010; we recorded undamaged and damaged fruits and incubated the latter. In the same orchard, we set up in 2011 a fruit fly trapping survey targeting the invasive species Bactrocera invadens (Chempac ® traps using methyl eugenol as the attractant). Results and discussion. The results showed that only Ceratitis cosyra emerged from marula plums, and only Dacus spp. from watermelon. The GF-120 spot-spraying experiment showed that C. incompleta was not attracted / intoxicated, contrary to Ceratitis spp. and Dacus spp.; the sprayed trees yielded significantly more mar- ketable fruits than unsprayed ones; only C. incompleta emerged from damaged fruit. Detection trapping revealed for the first time the presence of B. invadens in the Sahelian zone of Niger, including at the time of apple of the Sahel fruit production. Conclusion. This, alongside results of earlier studies, suggests a repellent effect of GF-120 on the monophagous C. incompleta species (Trypetinae), while it is attractive to oligophagous/polyphagous Dacinae fruit flies; some of them (e.g., Dacus spp.) damage watermelon, which is part of the DEF system, and produce fruit at the same time as the jujube tree. The prospects for harnessing these two opposite regulation pathways are discussed. Niger / Ziziphus mauritiana / Citrullus lanatus / pest control / Carpomya incompleta / Bactrocera invadens / Ceratitis / Dacus / control methods / integrated control / attractants / repellents

Abstract: On Reunion Island, three species of flies, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Dacus ciliatus and Dacus demmerezi (Diptera-Tephritidae), cause severe damage to Cucurbit crops. To implement effective crop protection programs, it is important to know how they overwinter in order to improve the control of the fly populations at the beginning of infestation. The aim of our study was to obtain knowledge on the population dynamics of these three fly species during the winter. Three technics were tested on five sites: adult trapping, collecting damaged fruit placed for emergence in the laboratory, and counting pupae in soil samples. Our results show a variation of the population level during the year and especially a decline during winter. They also show a distribution of the species according to altitude. The flies probably spend the winter season in quiescence.

Abstract: This paper expounded the geological distribution,host plant species and major morphological characteristics of the important quarantine pest insects in fruits and vegetables in the following five genera: Bactrocera Macquart,Dacus Fabricius,Ceratitis Macleay,Anastrepha Schiner and Rhagoletis Loew,compared the similarities and differences among the five genera,and put forward some measures for the control of the important pest insects in fruits and vegetables in these genera.

Abstract: Genetic variation in four species of fruit flies belonging to the genus Bactrocera (=Dacus) viz. B. cucurbitae, B. dorsalis, B. diversa and B. zonata was carried out using five gene–enzyme system, namely, aldehyde dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and octanol dehydrogenase. Enzyme activity was resolved at six loci in the four species. Except IDH-1, all the loci were found to be polymorphic in four species. The amount of observed and expected heterozygosity was found to be higher in B. zonata as compared to other species. Nei’s genetic identity value shows that all the four species are phylogenetically very close.

Abstract: This paper summarizes current knowledge of the occurrence of Dacini fruit flies in the Comoro archipelago of the Indian Ocean. Ten species are confirmed as occurring there: Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White, 2005, Dacus bivittatus (Bigot, 1858), D. ciliatus Loew, 1862, D. etiennellus Munro, 1984, D. punctatifrons Karsch, 1887, D. vertebratus Bezzi, 1908 (all Dacina), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), C. malgassa Munro, 1939, Neoceratitis cyanescens (Bezzi, 1923), and Trirhithrum nigerrimum (Bezzi, 1913) (all Ceratitidina). Records of Bactrocera Cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1899) remain unconfirmed. The fauna of the Comoros is briefly compared to that of other islands in the western Indian Ocean.