Population Dynamics and Damage Potential of Fruit Flies by Using the Pheromone Traps (Fruit fly traps) in Guava Orchard
Abstract
A field investigation was undertaken at KVK, Katni, Madhya Pradesh, from September 2025 to January 2026 to characterize the population dynamics and damage potential of fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) in a guava (Psidium guajava L.) orchard. Seasonal activity was monitored using fruit fly traps with a methyl eugenol-based biodegradable lure. The relationships between fruit fly population and weather parameters were also examined. Fruit fly abundance exhibited a progressive increase from the 36th SMW, attaining a maximum of 42.50 flies/trap/week in the 43rd SMW, and subsequently declined gradually. A comparable pattern was observed in fruit infestation, which increased from 8.33 per cent to 41.67 percent during the study period. Significant positive correlations were observed between fruit fly population and maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity, whereas rainfall and wind speed showed non-significant relationships. The regression model accounted for approximately 81 per cent of the variation in fruit fly population through the selected weather parameters. These findings establish a close relationship between fruit fly population abundance and fruit infestation and support the use of methyl eugenol traps for monitoring seasonal activity and facilitating timely management of fruit flies in guava orchards.
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Introduction
Guava (Psidium guajava L.), a member of the family Myrtaceae, is an important tropical fruit crop cultivated widely for its nutritious value. Commonly referred to as the "Apple of the Tropics," it originated in tropical America and is now extensively grown throughout tropical and subtropical regions (Baloda et al., 2018). India is the world's largest guava producer, contributing nearly 46% of global production. During 2024-25, guava was cultivated on 3.58 lakh ha with an estimated production of 53.50 lakh tonnes. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the leading producing states (Anonymous, 2025). Guava production is constrained by several insect pests, of which fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) are the most economically damaging. Other important pests include the mealybug (Ferrisia virgata), fruit and shoot borer (Conogethes punctiferalis), tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis antonii), and bark-eating caterpillar (Indarbela tetraonis) (Gundappa et al., 2018). Fruit fly infestation can cause severe quantitative and qualitative losses, with damage varying according to pest abundance, cultivar, and environmental conditions (Kumar et al., 2011). Fruit flies belong to the family Tephritidae, which comprises over 4,000 described species. Among them, the genus Bactrocera is one of the most economically significant, containing nearly 500 species distributed mainly across Asia and Australia (Majeed et al., 2024). While numerous species are known to infest fruits, merely a limited number are encountered within orchard environments. The recorded data concerning fruit fly population fluctuations in guava cultivation systems presents both prospects and obstacles for adequate strategic planning and implementing appropriate management interventions at optimal timings (Vignesh et al., 2020).
Conclusion
The fruit fly population exhibited a clear seasonal pattern, first appearing in the 36th SMW, reaching its peak in the 43rd SMW, and declining thereafter. The highest trap catch (42.50 flies/trap/week) and maximum fruit infestation (41.67%) were both recorded during the 43rd SMW, identifying this as the most critical period for fruit fly damage in guava. Fruit infestation closely followed adult fly abundance, indicating that pheromone trap catches are a reliable predictor of infestation. Multiple regression analysis showed that weather variables explained approximately 81% of the variation in fruit fly population, confirming the important role of climatic factors in seasonal population dynamics.
References
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