REVIEW ON MORPHOMETRICS AND MANAGEMENT OF BACTROCERA ZONATA (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE), AN ECONOMIC PEST IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Bactrocera zonata (Saunders), Diptera: Tephritidae, is a voracious pest. Many host plants are attacked
by B. zonata which causes a loss of $200 million per year in Pakistan. The hosts of B. zonata are guava, mango,
peach, apricot, citrus, and fig. Climate change affects the metabolic processes of insects as an increase in
temperature delays the process of insect development, and affects their survival rate, and longevity. Temperature
affects the growth stages and development of B. zonata from larval emergence to adulthood. The behavioral
responses shown by insects are governed by volatile compounds released by insects and host plants. Factors
affecting host plant selection involve host finding and host acceptance. Host finding and host acceptance are
controlled by vision, mechanoreception, olfaction, and contact chemoreception. Exogenous and endogenous
factors influence the activity of insects. The intensity of light and temperature can limit the locomotory, flight,
and foraging behaviors of fruit flies. B. zonata is a destructive pest and difficult to control due to its ecological,
and morphological behaviour. Management of fruit flies is difficult. Several control tactics, including wrapping,
covering, and spraying artificial pesticides are being used. For immediate control, farmers use insecticides such
as diptrex, triazophos, and imidacloprid. The excessive use of pesticides has led to many issues which made
scientists believe in biological control measures. The best practice to control any pest is IPM, which can replace
other practices as well, as agrochemicals Entomopathogens, predators, parasitoids, and bait traps of botanicals are
used worldwide for biological control.