Scientists find green way to reduce fruit fly damage
Times of India | 10 February 2025
123 Kolkata: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Calcutta University, and other institutions, have identified 30 unique nucleotide sequences of fruit flies, the biggest threat to fruits and vegetables worldwide.
This identification will allow the scientists to have a shot at targeted pest control measures against fruit flies using genetics, thereby reducing the dependence on chemical pesticides.
According to Dhriti Banerjee, ZSI director, this method will empower agricultural professionals with precision tools to implement the pest control measures without harming the non-targeted species. "Fruit flies are devastating pests, and in Bengal, where over 70% of rural households depend on agriculture, our work is critical. This new method will not only protect crops but also reduce our dependence on chemical pesticides and can minimise environmental damage," he added.
Calcutta University professor Madhusudan Das said, "With the increasing population, the demand for healthy food continues to grow. So, ensuring sustainable agricultural practice is more important than ever. By identifying specific fruit fly species with precision, more sustainable pest control strategies can be implemented, while ensuring preservation of biodiversity."
Researchers Ankush Mitra, Pubali Mitra, Pradosh Mahadani and Subrata Trivedi were part of the team. These researchers claimed that their findings would be instrumental in safeguarding agricultural productivity. The research has also been published in BMC Genomics, focused on true fruit flies collected from Bengal.
Fruits and vegetables are damaged either directly by the larvae of the fruit flies or indirectly by harmful microorganisms or decomposers that enter those through the egg-laying holes made by the female fruit flies.
This also leads to fruit rot, premature dropping, and massive economic losses amounting to billions of dollars annually.
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