~ 24 ~  Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2015; 3(4): 24-27 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2015; 3(4): 24-27 © 2015 JEZS Received: 10-06-2015 Accepted: 11-07-2015 Farman Ullah Department of Plant Protection, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan. Ahmad Ullah Andar Department of Plant Protection, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan. Hayat Badshah Entomology Section, Agricultural Research Institute Tarnab Peshawar Pakistan. Muhammad younus Entomology Section, Agricultural Research Institute Tarnab Peshawar Pakistan. Correspondence: Farman Ullah Department of Plant Protection, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan. Management of Melon fruit fly ( Myopardalis Pardalina Bigot) In Badghis, Afghanistan Farman Ullah, Ahmad Ullah Andar, Hayat Badshah, Muhammad younus Abstract Field studies were carried out on the management of Melon fly (Myiopardalis Pardalina Bigot) in Badghis, Afghanistan during 2014. This study comprises of three different experiments. In the first experiment five different insecticides were tested for their efficacy. In the 2 nd experiment the effect of pupae removal and bagging were compared for effectiveness against the melon fly. In the 3 rd experiment, Cue lure, Methyl Eugenol, Protein Hydorlysate (GF120) and PPr product were evaluated in the baited traps against the fly. Results showed a reduction of 61.38% and 76.84% in the fly population in comparison with the control in experiment 1 st and 2 nd respectively. While result of the 3 rd experiment was not prominent where no Melon fly was recorded in any of the baited trap. All the used attractants are failed against the Afghan Melon fly and I propose that there will be a difference in the race of M. Pardalina of Baluchistan and Afghanistan, so it may need further studies to confirm the prevalence of any difference exist. Keywords: Melon fly, Myopardalis pardalina, Insecticides, pupae collection, management. 1. Introduction Melon (Cucumis melo) locally called Khatakay in Pashto and Kharboza in Dari languages, is one of the most important fruit and cash crop of summer season in Afghanistan, About 35000 ha, area is under melon cultivation throughout the country with 640 thousand tons production and cash value about $126, million USD [1] . After the grapes, melons are the most cultivated fruit in Afghanistan which are not only produced for domestic requirements but also exported to Asia, Middle East and Europe (Ehsan, 2009) [2] . This important crop is harmed by different insect pests. One of the most serious pests is Baluchistan melon fly (Myiopardalis Pardalina Bigot) which causes huge damage to melon fruits (Mcquate 2005) [3] . Mature melon fly is smaller than the Oriental fruit fly or mango fruits fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hend) and house fly (Musca domestica) in size. Freshly laid eggs are white and 1.2 x 2mm long; larvae ought to creamy color and 10 mm in length, pupae is about 7.2 mm long and with brown color. The larval period is 10-13 days depending on the temperature. When fully grown, they make an exit hole and drop to the soil for pupation. Pupation takes place inside the fruit (personal observation). Mellon fly M. Pardalina produces 2-3 generations per year in the North and central region and four in the South and East of Iran (Carroll et al., 2002; Hussain et al., 1983; Christenson et al., 1960) [4, 5] . The pest is distributed in Turkey, Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran (EPPO, 2013; Assadullah et al., 2012) [6, 7] . The melon fly was first reported as a destructive pest of melon in western Afghanistan however, in eastern part of the country it was not a problem since 1980 (Ullah, 1987) [8] . Fruit damage is caused by maggots living inside the fruit on fleshy tissue and seeds. Infested fruits are also usually affected through secondary contamination (bacterial and fungal) which make them unfit for human consumption. In numerous countries (Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), losses in melon crops up to 80-90% have been reported by local farmers. Due to lack of control measures, the yield can be entirely lost although people are trying to suppress the pest, but they couldn’t because there are no effective chemicals, no other specific and easy methods to use against it (EPPO, 2013) [7] . Melon growers use different group of insecticides i.e. Diazinon, Danadium, Confidor, Methamedophose, Carboryle, Super top, Deltamethrine, Cypermethrin, Diptrex for the control of this fly. Among farmers some use mixture of 3-4 insecticides simply to get rid of the pest which has proved effective results but it has increased