Peach Fruit Fly, Bactrocera zonata and its Control

Horticulture is an important sector in the Egyptian economy, providing income and employment. The fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are important group of insect pests of horticulture production throughout the world. Over 1500 fly species occur world wide of which 50 species are considered as major pests and the other 30 species are of minor economic importance. Four hundred species belonging to the genus Bactrocera are widely distributed in south and south-east Asia (India, Indonesia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam). Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is known as the most serious pest of tropical and subtropical fruits. It has been introduced into Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Mauritius and Reunion Island. It is now present throughout Egypt, up to the borders of the Palestinian territories (Gaza Strip) and Israel. Its presence has also been recorded recently in southern Iran and Lebanon. The peach fruit fly, B. zonata is a polyphagous insect. Its main hosts are guava, mango and peach. Secondary hosts include apricot, fig and citrus.