Renowned Entomologist Prof James R Carey from University of California, Davis, USA has stressed upon the need to step-up effort to fight the fruit fly which is causing a loss of millions of dollars.

Renowned Entomologist Prof James R Carey from University of California, Davis, USA has stressed upon the need to step-up effort to fight the fruit fly which is causing a loss of millions of dollars. He addressed a seminar on invasion of fruit fly in California, arranged by Department of Entomology University of Agriculture Faisalabad. UAF Department of Entomology Chairman Prof Dr Jalal Arif presented the welcome address. Talking about the California fact, James R Carey said that it is 50 billion dollar agricultural industry and it grows 200 different crops. He said that California is the largest food producer in the USA. He said that the most fruit produces are attacked by multiple tephritid fruit fly species. He said that they had started the fruit fly monition program a century ago. He said they had developed a database containing 500 fruit fly records with date, location and species. He said that invasion occur in a slow motion and having a long pre detection period. He added that the population was mostly invisible and not detected from 10 to 45 years. He ruled out the early detection concept by terming it nearly meaningless. Dr Jalal Arif said that only fruit fly was causing $200 million loss to the economy annually and termed it a serious threat to export. He said modern practices like integrated pest management must be promoted and practiced in the fields to reduce the hazardous usage of pesticides. He said that the Department of Entomology was mapping out a national plan on palm weevil, fruit fly, and wheat aphid. He pinned hope on experts to solve the issue at national level would come up with solution to issue. He said the Department was working on the development of hybrid courses in collaboration with University of California, USA. Dr Shahid Majeed said plant protection measures helped increase per hectare yield by protecting crops from diseases and controlling the pests. He said that Prof. Carey is collaborating with his project on management of fruit flies in Pakistan that will help the country reduce the infestation of fruit flies in various fruits and vegetables.