Now, fruit flies return to attack kinnow crop

The horticulture department has already been taking precautionary measures for about a month now.

KINNOW orchards in the semi-mountainous (kandi) regions of Hoshiarpur district have been hit by a ‘fruit fly’ attack, sparking fears that it could lead to an epidemic if not contained. In the wake of the crisis over the pest attack on cotton, horticulture officials are taking no chances and have directed several farmers to bring samples of the affected kinnows for inspection.

Dr Balwinder Singh, horticulture development officer at Hoshiarpur, said the fruit fly or fruit moth has attacked orchards in parts of the district and added that farmers have been asked to keep their orchards clean. “Proper air and sun-light ward off such attacks as the pest thrives on rich vegetation,” he said, adding that the pest damages the entire fruit by puncturing and laying its eggs inside.

The horticulture department has already been taking precautionary measures for about a month now. “We have seen this attack in various farms and are taking measures,” said a farmer and expert on kinnow, Paramjit Singh Sooch of Hoshiarpur Citrus Estate.

Horticulture director, Dr Gurkanwal Singh, however, said that the ‘fruit fly’ attack is an annual affair and that the department is well equipped to handle it. He added that fruit fly traps, that cost between Rs 80 to Rs 100, are being supplied to the farmers to combat the pest. “It is like a bottle which traps fruit flies in hundreds from around the affected tree. Farmers should use this to control the spread,” Gurkanwal said, adding that 10 fruit fly traps should be sufficient for an acre of kinnow orchard.

Other preventive measures include pheromones traps, which attract male flies that are then drowned in a liquid bait.

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