PEST MANAGEMENT DECISION GUIDE: GREEN LIST on melon cucurbitae Prevention Monitoring Direct Control

l The melon fly is a small fly that lay eggs in l Search twice a week for adult on leaves and during l Bury infested and crop residues cucurbit fruits which causes decomposition of flowering and on-set stage, and inspect fruits for soft black spotted 1 m under surface or feed fruits ovi-punctures livestock, but do not leave residues l Avoid growing near other host crops l Be particularly attentive when the temperature is 20°C or above (the around for over a day since flies will (cucurbits, aubergines, , peppers, preferred temperature for melon fly) lay eggs in them tomatoes) l Adults: Reddish brown to dark brown with yellow marking on thorax B. cucurbitae adult (photo by l NBAIR) Use adequate amounts of fertlizer and and a black shaped marking on the abdomen, and black patches irrigation in order to grow a healthy crop that towards the outer edge of the wings may tolerate or escape melon fly damage l Check for tunnels on fruit producing a watery ooze as feeds. On l Enhance build-up of natural enemies by cutting, larvae are observed inside at different stages of development. avoiding use of agro-chemicals and by l Larvae: yellow-white, 0.5-1 cm long and 2-3 mm thick mulching. Apply mulch below melons to reduce fly egg laying (melon skins will not get softened l Look for abortion due to larva attack and premature fruit fall and by soil contact) rotting 2 l Bag the fruits to prevent flies laying eggs in l Place sticky traps (2-3/km , 1.5 m from the ground) in the field. Place them (you can use newspaper or a paper bag) more traps in the outer edges of the field than in the middle 2 l Harvest melons nearing ripening; do not wait l Or, use a simple fly trap (2-3/km , 1 m from the ground) made of a until total ripening of melons since ripe fruit mixture of 50 ml vinegar, 4-6 drops of dishwashing soap and 75 ml water in a 1/2L bottle, with 4-5 holes of 7 mm near the neck for entry of Melon fly damage on attracts flies (photo by Waitiki Kariuki) l After harvest, remove non-harvested melons and wild as they will host larvae. l When damage is detected on 1-2 melons/10 m2 on average, consider Bury 15 to 30 cm deep. acting quickly before more eggs are laid

Note: Pesticides may be available to control this pest. Please check with the Ministry of in your country to find out which pesticides are registered in your country and the local restrictions for their use.

CREATED/UPDATED: September 2017 LOSE LESS, FEED MORE PRODUCED BY: Plantwise Plantwise is a CABI-led global initiative www.plantwise.org