Studies related to fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Mozambique are mainly focusing on sweet fruits. Despite their economic importance, fruit flies associated to vegetables were not the object of research interest for many years. In this study, we present the first overview of the diversity of fruit flies infesting the main cucurbit crops (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae): pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and melon (Cucumis melo), in two of the major horticultural-producing provinces: Manica and Maputo. Fruits were sampled weekly, depending on availability in the field from February 2020 to August 2021 and incubated for 25 to 30 days. All data related to fruit infestation, such as quantity of pupae and emerged adults were recorded. From all reared hosts, we recorded in Manica province the emergence of seven species: Dacus bivittatus, D. punctatifrons, D. ciliatus, D. frontalis, D. vertebratus D. pamelae and Bactrocera dorsalis. In Maputo province, in addition to the previously mentioned species (except D. pamelae), an additional six species were recorded: Ceratitis cosyra, D. lounsburyii, D. africanus, D. mulgens, D. ostiofaciens and D. eclipsis. In both provinces, cucumber had generally higher infestation indices and co-infestation by more than three fruit fly species. Dacus bivittatus was the main species infesting cucurbits in Manica province, while Dacus ciliatus was more abundant in Maputo province. Melon showed no fruit fly infestation during the study period. No specimens of Zeugodacus cucurbitae emerged from the incubated cucurbit fruits.

Keywords: fruit flies, cucurbitaceous, infestation, Manica, Maputo