Evaluation of Oecophylla longinoda Latr. in fruit fly management

The damage caused by plant-feeding flies to fruit intended for international markets has for many years been recognized as a problem with a heavy economic and social impact at local, national and global level. Fruit fly infestation affects the production of quality fruits causing both direct and indirect loss of product. Control of insect pests of citrus in Ghana relies on application of insecticides. However, these chemicals which are mainly organophosphates and carbamates are expensive and many farmers cannot afford them. Pest resurgence, adverse effect on natural enemies and harmful effect on the applicators are some of the effects of misuse of chemicals. Moreover, current global food safety concerns make insecticides use unpopular.Weaver ants control a wide range of pets through direct control, predation and foraging of trees by large workers, and indirect control by the use of olfactory and visual cues. There is the need for holistic approaches such as the use of natural enemies for pest management strategies. Therefore,this study evaluated the use of Oecophylla longinoda as biocontrol agents against fruit flies in citrus orchards for environmental sustainability.