Insect Invaders in Our Home Garden

CAUGHT! A Bactrocera cucurbitae fruit fly adult 

The adult melon fruit fly emerged from an infested bittergourd

The highly persistent melon fruit flies were still able to access the protective enclosure

A young predator has emerged and is now on the prowl

An Assassin Bug Nymph

Assassin Bugs are mean predators of other garden insects

Its truly awesome what amazing creatures can thrive in just a little garden patch

Just a few days ago, my lovely wife and my daughter sent me amazing photos of their encounter with insect invaders in our little home garden. They were able to grow bittergourd (Momordica charantia), and the plants were already bearing fruit. On a developing fruit they were able to observed a Bactrocera cucurbitae, melon fruit fly which was caught on the protective plastic enclosure upon its emergence as an adult. On the leaves there were nymphs of the ferocious predatory insect, Assassin Bugs! 

The Melon Fruit Fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

The Melon Fruit Fly is a widespread and well-known phytophagous insect pests. It considered  a major agricultural pest and is reported to attack over 125 varieties of plants including cucurbits, tomatoes and other vegetables in Asia, Africa and the island states in Oceania. 

The Bactrocera cucurbitae adults are larger than the houseflies, can measure 6-8mm long. They have yellowish brown bodies with  a distinct yellow spot above the first pair of its leg. They have dark brown head and eyes. A brown spot can be seen on the margin of its wings.

The female fruit fly can lay 1000 eggs. These eggs are laid directly on the fruits and on the succulent stem on the host plant. Upon hatching the larvae readily attack the fruit,, feeding and developing inside. Total development can take 12-28 days. Adults can live up to one year. Because of the mobility and high egg-laying capacity of the melon fruit flies, they can inflict serious damage to vegetable crops.

Assassin Bugs (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE)

If there are insects you want  to be on your team and protecting your plants, these are the predacious Assassin Bugs! Also called Kissing Bugs - they render the kiss of death to their insect prey!

There are around 3000 species of  Assassin Bugs reported worldwide. 

These insect killers have a characteristic curved, dagger-shape mouth parts called the "rostrum" which they use to kill prey. An Assassin Bug will attack, pierce its victim, injecting venom to digest the body organs and then suck their prey. They can devour insects like aphids, leaf hoppers, and caterpillars. They can also attack insects much larger than themselves. They can also use their rostrum for defense! Now that's what you call a "mean insect"!

Even though they are beneficial predatory insects, Assassin Bugs are known to attacked and sting humans and other animals, so be very careful when spotted!  Their sharp rostrum can pierce human skin. The sting is painful and can lead to swelling. The pain however, will wear-off and rarely needs medical attention.

A phytophagous Melon fruit fly and predacious Assassin Bugs all observed in our little home garden. Truly Awesome that amazing creatures can thrive in such a small vegetable garden patch!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com