In a collaborative study led by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the University of Calcutta and other institutions have developed a novel technique for fruit fly control which they say can potentially revolutionise global efforts to combat the pests.
Fruit flies (tephritidae) infestations pose a significant threat to global agriculture, impacting crop yields, food security, and international trade.
The research focused on true fruit flies collected from various districts across West Bengal. The team sequenced mitochondrial COI gene regions from the fruit fly species found on cucurbitaceous crops like pumpkins, cucumbers, and gourds. The analysis revealed 30 uniquely variable sites at nucleotide positions, thereby offering a “crucial target for species-specific interventions.
Highlighting the importance of the study, Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the ZSI, said, “Fruit flies are devastating pests, and in West 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. By enabling targeted pest-control measures, we can minimise environmental damage and empower agricultural professionals with precision tools, moving away from broad-spectrum approaches that can harm non-target species.”
The damage is caused either directly by the larvae of the fruit flies or indirectly by harmful microorganisms or decomposers that enter fruits and vegetables through egg-laying holes made by the female fruit flies. This leads to fruit rot, premature dropping, and massive economic losses, amounting to billions of dollars annually.
This novel method enables rapid, accurate, and reliable species identification, facilitating earlier interventions and mitigating crop damage during outbreaks.
Researchers Ankush Mitra, Pubali Mitra, Pradosh Mahadani, and Subrata Trivedi believe their findings will be instrumental in safeguarding agricultural productivity. They envision this method as being implemented across diverse regions and applied to a broader range of pest species, establishing it as a versatile and powerful approach in the pest control sector.
Dr Madhusudan Das, Professor, University of Calcutta, said, “With increasing population, the demand for healthy food continues to grow. So, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices is more important than ever. By identifying specific fruit fly species with precision, more sustainable pest control strategies can be implemented. This would also align with the global push towards reducing chemical pesticides in agriculture, thereby promoting healthier ecosystems and preserving biodiversity”.