The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a pest of economic importance, endemic to South and South‐East Asia. It is highly invasive and due to its quarantine pest status, it interferes with horticultural trade. Males of many Bactrocera species are strongly attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) [1,2‐dimethoxy‐4‐(2‐propenyl) benzene], a phenylpropanoid compound naturally occurring in many plant species. Feeding on ME is also reported to enhance male mating success in several Bactrocera species. Such an effect can increase the effectiveness of the sterile insect technique (SIT). The current study was designed to identify the sexual maturity age of males of B. zonata, the relation between male age and attraction to ME, and the effect of ME on male mating success. The results showed that males initiated their mating at 8 days of age and attained the highest mating success at 16 days of age. The percentage of immature males responding to ME increased with age and the maximum response was observed during the age of sexual maturity. Methyl eugenol treatment at sexual maturity significantly enhanced male mating success over untreated males. The males treated with ME at a sexually immature age (5 days old) achieved significantly higher mating success after reaching sexual maturity. These findings suggested that B. zonata males can be treated with ME at the age of 5 days in sterile‐male ‘holding and release’ facilities and thereafter released in the field, where they are expected to achieve higher mating success after attaining sexual maturity. The results are discussed as a valid approach for enhancing the effectiveness of SIT application against B. zonata.

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The present study was carried out to determine the bio-efficacy of Diatomaceous Earth with Boric acid against sucking pest Citrus mealy bug; Planococus citri. Three dose rates of Diatomaceous Earth with Boric acid were evaluated against the Citrus mealy bug (Planococus citri) in comparison to synthetic chemical (Bifenthrin). Diatomaceous Earth with Boric acid show the excellent mortality 81.02% on Citrus mealy bug; 3 rd instar (Planococus citri) at 30+30 gms per liter of water; after the 7 days of application in comparison to standard chemical (Bifenthrin) at 10 ml per liter of water.