Abstract: Plant odors consist of a mixture of volatile compounds that are conveyed by diffusion through air and may disperse over a long distance. They play a major role in mediating insect-plant relationships, particularly food location and selection of suitable sites for mating or oviposition. This chapter presents state-of-the-art research on the response of fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) to plant odors and their potential for the development of trapping systems. Main research results from Tephritids of economic importance (i.e., Rhagoletis, Ceratitis, Bactrocera/Dacus, and Anastrepha) show evidence of response to (i) general plant volatiles from host or non-host plants, the so-called ‘green leaf volatiles’, (ii) essential oils from host or non-host plants, and (iii) fruit odors (whole fruit, wounded or crushed fruit, extracts, etc.). Synergies between plant odors and food odors or sex pheromones are also addressed. Factors including insect physiology (age, mating status, egg load, etc.), experience (learning), and genetic background can substantially modify the response pattern to plant odors.

Abstract: McPhail traps loaded with various attractant solutions (ammonium sulphate, Entomela 75%, Entomela 50%, Dacus bait 100, sexual pheromone of olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae) combined also with registered plant protection products (lambda-cyhalothrin, alpha-cypermethrin as well as dimethoate) were tested for their attractiveness which was indicated as captures of flies in McPhail traps during three summer year periods. All the tested proteins were significantly more attractive than ammonium salts which are broadly used in Greece for monitoring of pest population while the sex pheromone did not seem to have any impact. The mean number of captured adults of B. oleae recorded at McPhail traps which were filled with attractant solution, were at least two times fold higher than when an insecticide was added to it. Thus the application of such attractant combinations in the management of the pest, is discussed.

Abstract: Three fruit flies (Diptera : Tephritidae) damage cucurbit crops on Reunion Island : Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillet), Dacus demmerezi (Bezzi) and D. ciliatus (Loew). Chemical control does not provide any satisfactory control of fly populations. The GAMOUR project aims at promoting agroecological management of these pests. The present work is aimed at studying the augmentative releases of the parasitoid Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) as a biological control agent. From 2010 to 2011, four trials were set up. We released between 1,600 to 3,000 parasitoid wasps according to the trial. The parasitism rate of P. fletcheri was then recorded using fruit samples collected in the field. Parasitism was almost null before the releases. After the releases, mean parasitism rates increased moderately with a maximum of 16.7%. The parasitism was moreover null on crops where no B. cucurbitae were caught. In light of a cost-benefit analysis, releases of P. fletcheri appear therefore irrelevant. On the other hand, inoculative releases of parasitoids in low altitude agrosystems (B. cucurbitae is present below 800 m) could locally increase the abundance of wasps and promote environmentally friendly methods to growers.

Abstract: Within the tropical Asian countries, the family Tephritidae is well represented and includes some of the most serious economic pests of fruits and vegetables around the world. The objective of this paper is to present taxonomy and new records of fruit flies based on the latest scientific consensus available to help the researchers for their accurate and easy identification. This manuscript deals with new distribution records presented for species of fruit fly Dacus sphaeroidalis (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae), resulting from local fruit flies monitoring program. Speiemens of fruit fly were collected from rearing of their maggots feeding on the fruits of Chinese violet (Telosma cordata) host and then adults captured for identification and description. Now new distribution records of the species D. sphaeroidalis are presented, and described and illustrated for the first time for fauna of Pakistan. Taxonomic issues with specimen are discussed, described and illustrated from this region of which further host range has yet to be investigated. Although the newly recorded species closely resembles with other species of the genus Dacus, yet, the differences between these species are given.

Abstract: In Cameroon, fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) represent a major constraint to fruit production in cucurbits. They are known to feed essentially on fruits, but some species are flower specialists. The present study aims to assess the oviposition preference of fruit flies on seven species of cucurbits along with two varieties (bitter and sweet) of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley at two locations namely Yaounde and Koutaba (Cameroon). The infested flowers and fruits were collected, examined and incubated individually under laboratory conditions. Dacus (Lophodacus) hamatus Bezzi (Diptera: Tephritidae) was recorded for the first time, from the male flowers of L. siceraria. Under field conditions, the females laid their eggs only on male flowers of both varieties of L. siceraria and no adult was obtained from their fruits and from both flowers and fruits of other six cucurbit species in this study. However, under laboratory conditions, larvae were able to develop on flowers and fruits of all cucurbits used in present investigation. The infestation rate and the mean number of larvae per male flower were significantly greater on the bitter variety than on the sweet of L. siceraria, suggesting specificity in the feeding preference of D. hamatus. This fly affects considerable the yield of L. siceraria at both the studied locations viz. Yaounde and Koutaba with mean infestation rates of 52.36 ± 5.72% and 57.63 ± 3.41%, respectively on male flowers of L. siceraria. Key words: Fruit fly, Dacus hamatus, new record, feeding specificity, infestation rate, cucurbits.

Abstract: We conducted a questionnaire survey to assess fruit growers’ knowledge and practices regarding fruit fly pests and a fruit fly trapping inspection to capture any fruit fly species present at 10 points of 23 wards of Marondera district. Most growers were not aware of the pest, although they had reported that fruits were rotting in orchards. Most growers therefore took no action against fruit flies on their farms. The trapping inspection confirmed that three fruit fly species, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, and Dacus, are already present in Zimbabwe in general and in Marondera district in particular and the Bactrocera species dominates. There is a need for government, through extension agents, and other stakeholders to compile and communicate accurate data on the presence and status of the fruit fly in addition to investing in the continuous monitoring of the pest.