Distribution of fruit flies bactrocera SP.from selected states of peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Fruit jlies (Tephritidae) are one among the major threat to Horticulture industry.In Malaysia, fruit flies have been recognized as important economic pest insect. Among the several species, most pestiferous ones come under the genus Bactrocera Macquart, which the majority is attracted to the lures. Twenty years ago, they were given little consideration as a major key pest insect, but recently production and consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased and economic importance of fruits flies has also increase accordingly. There are eight species of Bactrocera Macquart from Malaysia we encountered during the study and their distribution patterns from Johor, Perlis and Kelantan states are presented. Only five species show wide distribution, namely Bactrocera papayae Drew & Hancock, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancoc, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) and Bactrocera umbrosa (Fabricius) which are known to infest an array of fruits and vegetables.