Sustainable management of fruit fly infestation in guava for quality fruit production:A review

Abstract

The guava is a tropical fruit that originated in Central and South America and has
since been grown in many tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. In these regions,
guava fruit fly, Bactrocera correcta, is a noteworthy pest of guava and other fruits.
This particular species of fruit fly lays its eggs in ripening or ripe fruits of guavas,
which may culminate in infestations which significantly damage crops. The female
guava fruit fly normally releases the eggs within the fruit as part of the life cycle.
After hatching, the larvae feed the fruit pulp, which makes it rot and unfit for human
eating. In cases of severe infestation, this not only diminishes the fruit’s yield and
quality but also makes it unmarketable. Controlling the guava fruit fly often involves
a combination of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods. These
can include techniques such as fruit bagging, sanitation, trapping, para-pheromone
lure, bait spray, biocontrol, bio-pesticide and the application of insecticides. Fruit
fly populations can be effectively managed by using fewer chemical pesticides and
implementing integrated pest management (IPM) techniques. Maintaining the
productivity and quality of guava crops, as well as other susceptible fruits in affected
areas requires efforts to control the guava fruit fly.