Damage to passion-fruit by the Queensland fruit fly, Dacus tryoni (Froggatt)

Abstract

Damage to passion-fruit resulting from oviposition by the Queensland Fruit Fly Dacus tryoni (Froggatt) was investigated in the Redlands district of south eastern Queensland. It occurred in all three cropping periods of the year but was of more significance during the less productive periods of January to April and May to August, than during the main season in October to January. In weekly assessments damage reached peaks of 96, 80 and 26% respectively. Losses resulted mainly from market rejection of damaged fruit, premature fall of stung passion-fruit being unimportant.