Fruit fly

Pests: non-chemical and biological measures

Remove criss-cross branches, infested shoots and dense branches. Hoppers: apply Metarhizium anisopliae or Beauveria bassiana (10^8 cfu/ml) on the tree trunk once in the off-season and twice at 7-day intervals in the flowering season. Mealy bug: release the Australian ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri at 10 beetles per tree, and band the trees with 20 cm wide degradable polythene sheets. Stem borer: remove and kill the grub mechanically with a needle or wire. Fruit fly: plough the interspaces to expose pupae, collect and destroy fallen fruits, and keep methyl eugenol traps at 25 per hectare.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Mango – Plant protection: pests

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists insecticides for hoppers, flower webber, stem borer and fruit fly, and fungicides for mango diseases, along with waiting periods before harvest. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Choose a product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Mango – Plant protection

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cucumber – Plant protection (fruit fly), pp. 98–99

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bottle gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 91

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bitter gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 94

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ribbed gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 88

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Snake gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 85

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pumpkin – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 83

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ash gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 97

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and nematodes: non-chemical measures

Mealybug: release Cryptolaemus predatory beetles at 10 per tree. Fruit fly: collect and destroy fallen fruits and install methyl eugenol traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is listed against tea mosquito bug and fruit fly. Root-knot nematode spreads through infested planting material: use air layers and sterilised or soil-less media (vermiculite, coir pith) in the nursery, grow marigold around the basin, and apply Purpureocillium lilacinum 60 g with 5 kg FYM and 250 g neem cake per tree once in three months.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Guava – Plant protection (pests, nematodes), p. 29

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical sprays: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for tea mosquito bug, fruit fly, red rust and fruit rots. Fruits are eaten fresh, so choose any product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Guava – Plant protection, p. 29

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source

NSKE 5%, neem cake extract 5% and neem oil 3% are listed for several pests. Fruit flies: bag fruits in degradable polythene bags punctured at the bottom. Tristeza virus: plant pre-immunized seedlings and remove and destroy infected trees. Slow decline from citrus root nematode: Pseudomonas fluorescens 20 g per tree, 15 cm deep and 50 cm from the trunk, once in four months.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Acid Lime – Plant protection (non-chemical measures), pp. 15–16

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical treatments for leaf miner, aphids, rust mite, fruit-sucking moth, shoot borer, citrus butterfly, psyllid, fruit fly, mealybugs, nematodes, twig blight, scab and canker, and growth-regulator sprays for fruit set. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Acid Lime – Plant protection, pp. 15–16

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on melons — they damage the plants.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Watermelon – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 102

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source

Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on melons — they damage the plants. Whitefly: neem seed kernel extract 5%.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Muskmelon – Plant protection, p. 105

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Fruit fly and scales: non-chemical measures in the source

Fruit fly: collect fallen and infested fruits and bury them under a thick layer of soil; plough between trees to expose pupae; use methyl eugenol lure traps (25/ha); neem oil 30 ml/l is also listed. Scale insects: prune and burn affected parts. Chemical sprays for black leaf spot and powdery mildew are also listed — ask your officer.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ber – Plant protection (pests), p. 40

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05