The occurrence of the tephritid fruit flies and their parasitoids on horticultural commodities under the insecticide application in East Java, Indonesia

Abstract Tephritid fruit flies are pests that can cause significant damage and losses to fruits and vegetables worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of tephritid fruit flies and their parasitoids and evaluate the parasitism rates of these parasitoids in horticultural commodities with and without insecticide application. A total of 3,728 fruit flies emerged from fruit samples collected in horticultural commodities in East Java. Five fruit fly species were identified, including B. carambolae, B. dorsalis, B. albistrigata, B. calumniata, and B. umbrosa. Two genera of pupal parasitoids, Diachasmimorpha spp. and Fopius spp. emerged from fruit flies during the sampling period. The parasitism rate in the horticultural commodities applied with insecticide was lower (1.03%) compared to the non-applied insecticide (3.53%). Excessive insecticide use in horticultural commodities may disrupt the natural enemies of fruit flies, particularly braconid parasitoid populations. This study also highlights the importance of biological control for fruit flies in horticultural commodities in East Java under different insecticide treatments (application vs. no application). However, it is important to note that host plant species and environmental factors may have influenced the patterns observed in this study.