Potential biological control agents of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett): A review

Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a serious agro-economic pest of cucurbits around the world. Management of tephritid fruit flies is till date mainly dependent on the use of chemical pesticides. In a rising concern about environment quality and rapid development of resistance in insect pests, biological control of insect pests is being contemplated, and in response, research approaches are constantly evolving. Various naturally occurring control agents of melon fruit fly such as parasitoids, bacteria, fungi and nematodes have potential in the management of Z. cucurbitae. Many parasitoids including Psyttalia fletcheri, Fopius arisanus, Dirhinus giffardii and Spalangia endius are known to attack various life stages of Z. cucurbitae. Although parasitoids are being principally exploited for control of Z. cucurbitae, various other entomopathogens such as fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Metarhizium anisopliae), bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis), nematodes (Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema feltiae) and microbial toxins/products (spinosad, avermectin) are being investigated or used for biological control. The development of farming methodologies with greater credence on ecosystem services such as biological control of Z. cucurbitae will increase sustainability of agroecosystems. This review provides a concise compilation of these biological control agents along with their effectiveness and will help researchers in designing various integrated pest management strategies against Z. cucurbitae that involve biological control agents.

Automated summary

Zeugodacus cucurbitae is a serious pest of cucurbits around the world, and its management is mainly dependent on the use of chemical pesticides. However, there is increasing interest in exploring biological control methods for this pest. Natural control agents such as parasitoids, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes show potential for controlling Z. cucurbitae. Various parasitoids can attack different life stages of this pest, and other entomopathogens are also being investigated for biological control. Developing farming methods that rely on ecosystem services such as biological control can increase the sustainability of agroecosystems.