Comparative biology of melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae in different cucurbitaceous crops

Abstract

Laboratory studies were conducted to study the comparative biology of fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae in different cucurbitaceous crops viz. bitter gourd, bottle gourd and watermelon. The significant differences were observed in the life cycle of the pest when reared on bitter gourd, bottle gourd and watermelon. The mean incubation period, total larval period, pre pupal period, pupal period, adult male longevity, adult female longevity, fecundity, hatching percentage, sex ratio and total life cycle for male and female were recorded as 1.28 ± 0.458, 6.08 ± 0.493, 1.08 ± 0.277, 5.88 ± 0.600, 10.33 ± 0.617, 15.10 ± 0.738, 32 to 35 eggs, 92.00%, 1: 0.67, 24.80 ± 1.320, 29.20 ± 1.033days respectively, for bitter gourd, 1.32 ± 0.476, 8.12± 0.332, 1.12 ± 0.332, 7.16 ± 0.374, 12.81 ± 0.655, 17.22 ± 0.833, 42 to 46 eggs, 88.00 %, 1: 0.56, 30.19 ± 0.750, 35.80 ± 1.814 days respectively, for bottle gourd and 1.36 ± 0.700, 8.08 ± 0.812, 1.08 ± 0.277, 9.40 ± 0.645, 13.11 ± 2.111, 16.86 ± 2.734, 50 to 55 eggs, 80.00 %, 1: 0.39, 32.56 ± 2.382, 38.00 ± 3.512 days respectively, when the larva reared on watermelon.