Distribution and host plants ofBactrocera cucurbitaein West and Central Africa.

Abstract

Distribution and host plants of Bactrocera cucurbitae in West and Central Africa. Abstract-Introduction. The data on Bactrocera cucurbitae collected over a large area of West Africa for around the past ten years enables us to make a synthesis, since this economically significant species is now widespread. Fruit samples were collected in the course of various trips to Africa; we focused on looking for the melon fly, B. cucurbitae (Coquillett). Equipment and methods. The Tephritidae were captured by means of trapping the adults and collecting holed fruit containing larvae. The fruit samples were taken from Cucurbitaceae found in the sub-region, and from other plant families hosting melon fly larvae. Fruit holed by flies were collected from untreated orchards and taken to the laboratory to be weighed, counted and classified by species, variety, date and location. The larvae collected metamorphosed into pupae. After hatching from the pupae, the adults were recovered. Results and discussion. The samples taken enabled us to determine the distribution of B. cucurbitae in West Africa; this species was found in Benin,

Notes on the frugivorous fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) fauna of western Africa, with description of a new Dacus species

“…the two regions with highest species richness are among the Critical ones: east Guinean Forest and Nigerian Lowland Forest. In the last decade two invasive species of Asian origin have been recorded from western Africa: Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White, 2005(Drew et al 2005Goergen et al 2011) and B. cucurbitae Coquillett 1899 (Vayssières et al 2007). Both, particularly the former, are known to show competitive displacement of indigenous species (Ekesi et al 2009, Mwatawala et al 2009, and are now found in all countries and ecoregions of the study area.…”

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) on vegetable crops in Reunion Island (Indian Ocean): state of knowledge, control+ methods and prospects for management

“…Its current distribution ranges from South Asia, whence it originates, to many Pacific Islands (including Hawaii) and, more recently, the Seychelles and Africa, where it is currently spreading [6]. Its biology is relatively well known, and the species has been much studied in India, South-East Asia and Hawaii [7].…”

“…In Reunion Island, besides Cucurbitaceae, we can report rare attacks on the tomato, wild passion fruit (Passiflora foetida L.) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) [4]. We noted that B. cucurbitae attacks the tomato and papaya little or not at all (Carica papaya L.) in this island, whereas it causes damage to these crops in other parts: India [19], Cameroon [20], Hawaii [21] and Benin [6]. This probably results from competition for resources with N. cyanescens for the tomato, and with various fruit fly species (Ceratitis spp.)…”

Preliminary inventory of fruit fly species (Diptera, Tephritidae) in mango orchards in the Niayes region, Senegal, in 2004

“…These two Asian Batrocera invaders remain major horticultural pest species, widespread not just in Senegal, where B. invadens predominates on fruit crops [28] and B. cucurbitae on vegetable crops [31], but also in 14 other West African countries.…”

“…The first collection of the melon fly in Senegal was carried out on November 5, 2003 [31] with collections of infested Momordica charantia around Dakar; the preliminary data from which was therefore checked in the following year.…”