Intensity of Infestation by Fruit Flies on Traditionally Grown ("gerif") Snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) and Squash (Cucurbita pepo) in Khartoum State

Abstract

A survey was carried out in the traditional cultivation areas ("gerif") on banks of the Nile (Aljamoia), the Blue Nile (near the University of Khartoum) and the White Nile (Aburoof) to study the infestation of the cucurbit fruit flies Dacus spp on snake melon and squash. The infestation level on snake melon ranged 4.35-9.03% at Aburoof area and 14.63-26.41% at Aljamoia area. The infestation level on squash crop ranged 0-1.17% at Aburoof area and 0-0.2 % at Khartoum area. Collection of infestation samples of snake melon, squash and melon from Aburoof, Blue Nile, Eljumoeya, Sleit and Amdoum revealed that the infesting fruit flies is identification as Dacus ciliatus only, according to the Agricultural Research Corporation-Wad Madani. The study of the effect of sunlight on the pupae of the fruit fly Dacus ciliatus, mortality of the pupae the increased with the increase of exposure time. It is found that high tempreture and moisture excaralated the larval development in the black plastick bages (2.67 days) compared with the rearing cages (6.67 days).