MANAGEMENT OF CHINESE CITRUS FLY, Bactrocera minax, (ENDERLEIN) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL

  • Ashmit Thapa* , Debraj Adhikari , Lalit Sah , Sagar Pandey , and Diwas Dhital

The research on management of Chinese citrus fly (Bactrocera minax) was conducted at a citrus orchard. The average pupal length and breadth was recorded 7.98±0.22 mm and 3.81±0.13 mm respectively. The average length and breadth of adult fly was recorded 8.20±1.00mm and 4.5±0.00mm respectively. The average citrus fruit loss (%) due to Chinese citrus fly in 2021 at Chhahari Retreat, Kathmandu was 86.80%. It revels this is one of the serious pest in citrus fruits there. So, this action research was performed to manage the problem. AWCP (Area-wide control program) is practiced for the management of Chinese citrus fly by using spot application of protein bait. Lethal protein bait having 25% protein hydrolysate and 0.1% abamectin (Great Fruit Fly Bait) was used in spot application (one spot among 3 productive citrus trees) in weekly interval for 12 weeks. Following the AWCP, fruit loss was reduced to 27.68% in 2022 harvest. The overall fruit loss (%) was reduced by 59.12 % compared to year 2021 (p<0.001) by the spot application of protein bait.