Fruit fly is a major threat to fruits and vegetables as it accounts for 30-100% produce loss. Chemical control is being used against it but it is hazardous to human and his environment. Therefore, experimental studies were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of some botanicals and eco-friendly paper bagging against cucurbit fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, (Tephritidae; Diptera) in bitter gourd. The experiment comprised of five treatments, Neem oil (2%), Garlic extract (5%), Newspaper bagging, Trichlorfon (Metallic) 80% SP and control. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results indicated that the botanicals and paper bagging significantly reduced infestation of cucurbit fruit fly. Minimum infestation was recorded in paper bagging (7.25%), followed by Garlic extract (36.38%). The maximum infestation was observed in Control (75.55%), followed by Trichlorfon (Metallic) 80% SP (48.06%). Minimum values for larval density fruit^-1 (5.71), pupae formation (4.60) and adult emergence (3.86) were obtained from paper bagging, followed by Neem oil (8.13, 6.83 and 5.75 respectively). Maximum larval density fruit^-1 (14.58), pupae formation (13.14) and adult emergence (11.05) were obtained from Control, followed by Trichlorfon (Metallic) 80% SP (12.55, 10.70 and 8.72 respectively). Paper bagging resulted in highest yield (11891.14 kgha^-1) with highest cost-benefit ratio (CBR = 4.75), followed by Garlic extract (9625 kgha^-1), Neem oil (8479.75 kgha^-1), Trichlorfon (Metallic) 80% SP (7190.73 kgha^-1) and control (5182.1 kgha^-1). It was concluded that paper bagging and botanical extracts (Neem oil and Garlic extract) reduced B. cucurbitae infestation as compared to control and also improved crop quality and yield of bitter gourd and are recommended for the Eco-friendly management of B. cucurbitae.

Key words: Fruit fly, Mechanical control, Plant extracts, Bitter gourd