United States Department of Agriculture
AgResearch Magazine
Cucumber is among the melon fly’s favorite hosts. ARS scientists found that pureed cucumber proved most attractive to female melon flies. (Scott Bauer, K7246-1).
In Hawaii, the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, causes damage to crops such as squash, melon, cucumber, and tomato. (Scott Bauer, D1034-1).
Fresh squash varieties at a farmer’s market. Harm to squash and other produce occurs when female melon flies inject their eggs and when the larvae hatching from those eggs tunnel further into the fruit or vegetable to feed. (Peggy Greb, D3280-3).
A lure trap for melon flies being tested in a field. ARS scientists developed new lures that attracted female flies as well as males. Previous commercial traps mainly attracted males. (Eric Jang, D3410-1).
