Behavioral Ecology and Integrated Management of Fruit Flies (Bactrocera spp.) in Horticultural Crops

Abstract

The genus Bactrocera comprises some of the most economically damaging fruit fly pests worldwide, inflicting billions in losses to horticultural crops through direct damage and trade restrictions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the behavioral ecology and integrated management of Bactrocera species, including B. dorsalis, B. zonata, and B. oleae. It explores their taxonomic complexities, invasion biology, life history traits, and sensory driven behaviors such as visual and olfactory host seeking, pheromone-mediated reproduction, and oviposition preferences influenced by host cues and environmental factors. Economic impacts are detailed across regions, with emphasis on demographic parameters like high reproductive rates and host suitability metrics. Management strategies are evaluated, encompassing cultural practices (sanitation and fruit bagging), push-pull techniques, male annihilation (MAT), sterile insect technique (SIT), and emerging genetic tools like CRISPR-Cas9. Regulatory frameworks under IPPC and EPPO are discussed for quarantine and pest-free areas. The review advocates for climate-smart, area-wide IPM to mitigate invasions and promote sustainable horticulture, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches to counter these adaptive pests.