Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) can be a host plant for Bactrocera dorsalis and B. cucurbitae
In order to clarify the host status of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) for Bactrocera dorsalis and B. cucurbitae (both EPPO A1 quarantine pests), laboratory studies have been carried out in Japan. In cage experiments, okra fruits, either intact or punctured with a steel pin, were exposed to females of B. dorsalis and B. cucurbitae reared in the laboratory. Adults of B. dorsalis emerged from both punctured and intact fruits, whereas B. cucurbitae only emerged from punctured fruits. By trying to compare their results with other studies done on other host fruits, the authors felt that the number of adult B. dorsalis emerging from okra is smaller than from mango (Mangifera indica), and much smaller for B. cucurbitae from okra than from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). Survival rates of both fruit flies appear smaller on okra than on the major host fruits. Development periods of both species are equivalent to those observed respectively for B. dorsalis and B. cucurbitae on mango and bitter gourd. The authors concluded that okra can be a host plant for these fruit flies, although it may not be as favourable to development as their major host fruits.
Sources
Kumagai, M.; Tsuchiya; T.; Katsumata, H. (1996) Larval development of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and B. cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Okra.
Research Bulletin of the Plant Protection Service Japan, no. 32, 95-98.