Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White (Diptera: Tephritidae), a Fruit Fly Pest Newly Recorded from Kashmir, India and New Host Plant Records

Abstract

Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White is newly recorded from temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir Valley, northern India, coinciding with the fruiting season of common host plants such as Cucumis sativus, Lagenaria siceraria, Cucurbita maxima, Momordica charantia, Luffa acutangular, Citrullus vulgaris (Cucurbitaceae)., Lycopersicon esculantum (Solanaceae)., Malus domestica, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus persica, Pyrus communis, Prunus domestica, Cydonia oblonga (Rosaceae). Methyl eugenol-baited traps revealed a relative abundance of 44% compared with other species, with maximum trap catches in Srinagar and Kupwara. In field-collected infested fruits and vegetables, B. invadens was highly polyphagous, showing a distinct preference for cucurbit vegetables. The presence of B. invadens poses a severe threat to agriculture and horticulture in temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir and its presence is a cause of concern to both fruit and vegetable growers.