DETERMINATION OF FRUIT FLIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) INFESTATION IN GUAVA, PEACH AND BITTER GOURD ORCHARDS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA.

The experiment was conducted to determine the level of infestation of fruit flies in various fruits and vegetables in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) during 2010 and 2011. Different fruits and vegetables were selected for infestation of fruit fly population in the target area. The experiment was consisted on Peach at Swat, Bitter gourd at Charsadda and Guava at Kohat. The Data regarding infestation caused by fruit flies were recorded at fortnight intervals for Guava and peach orchards whereas for Bitter Gourd, the data were recorded on weekly intervals. Data were recorded on counting healthy and infested fruits and vegetable randomly from each experimental unit at all locations. The trials were laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. Finding of the study showed that fruit fly infestations gradually gained from mid April and reached to its peaks in mid August and September whereas the fruit fly infestation dropped from the end of September to mid November in Guava orchards. In case of Peach orchards, fruit fly infestation varied during the study periods in both the years (2010 and 2011). The infestations increased from mid April and gained its peaks in August and thereafter started declined and infestation dropped to the least in month of October, April and May. In similar way, fruit flies infestations in Bitter gourd at Charsadda reached to highest percentage in months of August and from here onward, the infestation drastically decreased and lowest infestation was recorded in month of November. It was concluded that the presence of fruit fly was recorded in all the three orchards throughout their crop seasons and this window is considered a critical one in the management of fruit fly.