Evaluation of control for the management of four pest species (Rhagoletis cerasi L., Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) and Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae)) in organic cherry-growing area.

Background: In recent years, the fruit flies Rhagoletis cerasi L., Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) and Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) (Tephritidae and Drosophilidae) have become an increasingly serious problem for cherry production in Turkey, which ranks first among cherry-producing countries. Intensive chemical control of these pests is used and little information about alternative methods of control is available for these pests, especially in organic farming. The purpose of our study was to determine a new, cost-efficient and more ecofriendly method of pest control. The study was carried out during 2019-2020 at two different locations in Turkey: Adana-Pozantı (Alpu, 1070 m, and Belemedik, 700 m).

Results: This study investigated the effectiveness against fruit flies of netting covering trees, a mass capture technique and an insecticide suitable for use in organic agriculture (spinosad). A comparative insecticide (thiacloprid) was also applied. The methods performed quite differently from the control and were shown to be particularly effective against R. cerasi and D. suzukii. The most effective control method against the four pest species was the application of netting (100% effect). The other methods of control included in the experiment may also be useful in organic cherry cultivation.

Conclusion: The methods presented here meet the requirements for conventional and organic production. Application of netting in particular can form the basis of organic production requirements for the management of fruit flies. It has been observed that fruits ripen a little later, and fruit monilia and aphid damage are less in trees protected by netting. This is a commercial advantage, especially for late maturing varieties, and additional studies are needed for these varieties. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.