Host Range, Damage Assessment, and Natural Enemy Survey of Tephritid Fruit Flies in Guava and Citrus Orchards in Abia State, South East Nigeria

Tephritid fruit flies are responsible for substantial post-harvest and pre-harvest losses in tropical fruit orchards, yet their host range, infestation dynamics, and biological control opportunities in South East Nigeria remain poorly studied. Abia State produces significant quantities of guava and citrus fruit, and unexplained post-harvest losses reported by farmers suggest elevated tephritid activity. This study documents the host range, damage levels, and natural enemy complex of tephritid fruit flies in guava and citrus orchards in three LGAs of Abia State. McPhail traps baited with protein hydrolysate and Steiner traps with methyl eugenol will be deployed at 24 orchards over 18 months. Adult flies will be identified by morphology and DNA barcoding where species boundaries are ambiguous. Host fruit sampling will document infested fruit proportion and larval density per fruit. Parasitoid emergence rates from infested fruit will characterize the natural enemy complex. Population peaks will be correlated with fruit phenological stages and rainfall. The study generates empirical data on tephritid dynamics in Abia State's fruit farming sector, directly benefiting the Abia State Agricultural Development Corporation's post-harvest management guidelines. Keywords: tephritid fruit flies, host range, natural enemies, Abia State, guava and citrus