Species Composition, Host Specialization and Economic Importance of Fruit Flies (Tephritidae) on Some Tropical Fruit Crops in Ethiopia

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among the most important pests of fruit and vegetables worldwide. Economic effects of pest species include not only direct loss of yield and increased control costs, but also the loss of export markets and/or the cost of constructing and maintaining fruit treatment and eradication facilities. Infestation by fruit flies is a major constraint to local and export production of tropical fruits in Ethiopia. This study is proposed with following objectives: 1) to determine the species composition and relative abundance of fruit flies attacking mangoes, sweet orange and guava 2) to study the population dynamics of fruit flies 3) to study host specialization of fruit flies and factors that affect this process on different tropical fruits 4) to determine the extent of yield and monetory loss on mangoes sweet orange and guava caused by fruit flies 5) to establish distribution map of fruit fly species in Ethiopia 6) to evaluate comparative performance of different attractants for fruit fly monitoring and control.