Effectiveness of fenitrothion bait sprays against melon fruit fly, Dacus cucurbitae Coquillet in bitter gourd.
Gupta J. N., Verma A. N.
Author Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar-125004, India.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Research 16 : 41-46
Abstract : Field trials were carried out in Haryana, India, to determine the effectiveness of sprays of 0.025% fenitrothion alone and in combination with various attractants (0.5% gur, 0.5% molasses, 0.25% dried mango juice, 0.25% citronella oil and 0.25% protein hydrolysate) against Dacus cucurbitae Coq. on bitter gourd [Momordica charantia], in comparison with malathion alone and in combination with gur. Sprays were applied twice with an interval of 10 days. The lowest rate of infestation by the pest was observed in plots sprayed with fenitrothion in combination with protein hydrolysate or molasses. Combinations of fenitrothion with each of the attractants except citronella oil were significantly more effective than the recommended spray bait consisting of 0.05% malathion and 0.5% gur. However, fenitrothion alone showed the same degree of effectiveness as the malathion-gur bait.