Distribution of Bactrocera Macquart (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Kerala with special reference to the western ghats

Abstract

Fruit flies (Tephritidae) are one among the major threat to Horticulture Industry. Among the several species, most pestiferous ones come under the genus Bactrocera Macquart, of which the majority are attracted to the lures. An attempt was made to understand the spatial distribution of the economically important fruit flies in Kerala using Global Positioning System (GPS). Fourteen species under the genus Bactrocera were encountered during the study and their distribution patterns are presented. Only four species show wide distribution, namely Bactrocera dorsalis, B.caryeae, B. cucurbitae and B.tau, which are known to infest an array of fruits and vegetables. Five species B. caudata, B. nigrotibialis, B.scutellaria, B.trilineata and B.tau, are new records for Kerala.