INFESTATION RATE AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF MELON FLY, Zeugodacus curcubitae ON CUCUMBER IN IBADAN, NIGERIA
NJE Vol. 41(2): 62-79, 2025
DOI.10.36108/NJE/5202/14.0250
Rita O., Okafor1, Olajumoke Y., Alabi1 and V. C. Umeh
1Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
2National Horticultural Research Institute, P.M.B 5432, Idi-Ishin, Jericho Reservation Area, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
In 2022, two field trials investigated the Melon Fly (MF) infestation in cucumber varieties, Marketer, Poinsett-76 and Marketmore. Fruit fly captures from Torula® yeast lures in locally made traps and fruit damage/and yield were used to assess infestation rates from 7 to 10 weeks after planting (WAP). Other insects were collected using sweep nets, visual searching and pitfall traps. Correlation analyses determined insect demographics’ and plant characteristics’ relationship with weather. Melon fruitfly populations ranged from 0 to 5 flies/trap/week in both trials, and cucumber damage varied from 25.2% to 44.9%. Infestation peaked at 9 WAP. Marketmore had the highest number of pupae (176.5±38.14) and emerging adult melon fruit flies (147.0±19.23) from infested fruits. Infestation rate was positively correlated with fruit damage in the first (r=0.77) and second trial (r= 0.74), respectively. Besides Zeugodacus cucurbitae (65.0%), other significant cucumber pests were Aulacophora africana (6.34%), Aulacophora fovecollis (3.43%), and Diaphania hyalinata (8.23%). Fruit yields in both trials did not significantly differ, but Poinsett-76 was selected as the preferred cucumber variety due to lower melon fruit fly presence, reduced infestation, and higher yield potential. To minimize damage caused by fruit flies, controlling their populations on cucumbers before 9 WAP is essential. Further research could be conducted to determine the most effective control methods for managing the Melon Fruit Fly (MFF) infestation on cucumber crops.
Keywords: Cucumber varieties, Diaphania hyalinata, Infestation rate, Nigeria.