Following the appearance of Med fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the peach fly Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) in the New Valley Governorate, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) sponsored a grant. To allow Assiut University to study this problem by a 3 years project entitled "Study on biological means for controlling the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) in new valley governorate".
The main objectives of this project were determination of the population fluctuations of C. capitata and B. zonata. Determination of the efficacy of the used traps in attracting and collecting fruit flies. Identification of the species composition of arthropod pests and predators inhabiting soil around fruit trees, by using pitfall traps. Evaluation of the damage percentage caused by fruit flies on decayed fallen fruits. Evaluation, the efficacy of selected safe alternative insecticides in reducing fruits infestation by both flies under field and laboratory conditions.
Results of the present report revealed the presence of 12 arthropod species belonging to 10 genera, 7 families and 4 orders by using six different traps. Also, nine associated Acari species have been recorded. The dominance and abundance percentages of B. zonata were higher than C. capitata. The yellow sticky traps ranked first in collecting fruit flies when provided with sex pheromones. By using pitfall traps, were collected thirteen soil arthropod species belonging to 11 families and 4 orders. Dominance and abundance percentages of these arthropods were determined. According to the numbers of fruit flies pupae and the numbers of emerged adults of the fallen and decayed fruits, the percentage of infestation was calculated. Field and laboratory experiments indicated that the safe pesticide alternatives presented high potency in decreasing the fruit flies numbers.
The laboratory studies indicated that there were two morphologically closed types of the fruit flies. These two types investigated by using the PCR technology and their molecular prints indicate that they are two separate genera. In addition, studies on the possible role of Entomopathogenic nematode, insect pathogenic fungi (Metarhizium and Trichoderma), certain safe alternatives and chemical insecticides in controlling fruit flies.