- Tertia Grové, W P Steyn and Marinda S De Beer
- Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag x11208, Nelspruit 1200
- 1999
Two fruit fly species are known to attack litchi fruit in South Africa, namely the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the Natal fruit fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch. Experiments were conducted to determine to what extent C capitata and C rosa develop in different litchi cultivars. Ten different litchi cultivars (HLH Mauritius, Red McLean, Brewster, Fay Zee Siu, Three Months Red, Haak Yip, Wai Chee, Kwai May Pink, Souey Tung and Salathiel) were exposed to the two fruit fly species in sleeve cages. Eggs of C capitata were only found in the cultivars Brewster and Three Months Red. No pupae were recovered when 20 to 30 fruit of the different cultivars were exposed to C capitata. Eggs of C rosa were found in all cultivars exposed except Red McLean and Wai Chee and no pupae were recovered from any of the cultivars. When 110 fruit of HLH Mauritius were exposed to C capitata and C rosa, pupae were recovered from the fruit. The litchi is not an ideal fruit for the development of C capitata and C rosa.
Summary:
Two fruit fly species attack litchi fruit in South Africa: Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and Natal fruit fly (Ceratitis rosa).
The study tested 10 litchi cultivars (including HLH Mauritius, Red McLean, Brewster, and others) by exposing them to both fruit fly species in sleeve cages to observe egg-laying and development.
Eggs of C. capitata were found only on Brewster and Three Months Red cultivars, but no pupae were recovered from any cultivar except HLH Mauritius when a larger sample was tested.
Eggs of C. rosa were found in almost all cultivars except Red McLean and Wai Chee; still, no pupae were recovered from these cultivars.
From exposing 110 HLH Mauritius fruit to both fly species, pupae were recovered, indicating some development within this cultivar under larger exposure conditions.
Overall, litchi is not ideal for fruit fly development; larval development inside fruit is rare because fermentation caused by egg punctures often expels eggs and larvae.
C. rosa lays eggs more readily in litchi fruit compared to C. capitata.
Litchi fruits are stored at low temperatures (1-2°C) for about 4 weeks before export, making it highly unlikely for live fruit flies to reach overseas markets.
The Natal fruit fly (C. rosa) is believed to cause most fruit fly damage in litchi orchards due to its prevalence.
The study suggests fruit flies pose limited risk for litchi fruit quality and export due to poor development inside fruit and post-harvest cold storage.