Non-chemical postharvest disinfestation treatments for cucurbits against Bactrocera cucumis (French) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Heat disinfestation treatments against cucumber fly (Bactrocera cucumis) in cucurbits were investigated. Experimental methodology was based on the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Standards, and included research to determine the most heat tolerant immature stage of cucumber fly in zucchini, button squash, rockmelon, honeydew and watermelon. Large scale confirmation trials were conducted in zucchini and rockmelon and each resulted in no survivors from over 100,000 treated insects. This exceeds 99.9968% mortality at the 95% confidence level and should meet the quarantine requirements for both international and interstate trade within Australia.