Biology of melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) on cucumber

Abstract

Laboratory studies on the biology of the melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), on cucumber revealed that the average incubation period was 1.36±0.48 days, with an egg hatching percentage of 84%. The average durations of the first, second, and third instar maggots were 1.52±0.50, 2.18±0.48, and 3.02±0.47 days, respectively. The total larval period varied from 5 to 9 days, with an average of 6.72±0.73 days. The pre-pupal and pupal periods averaged 0.79±0.27 days and 6.74±0.69 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods were 10.14±1.21, 4.79±1.17, and 1.64±0.62 days, respectively. Female fecundity averaged 64.83±12.69 eggs. The average longevity of male and female adults was 13.73±1.86 days and 16.57±1.53 days, respectively. The total life span on cucumber was 29.25±1.93 days for males and 32.27±2.13 days for females, with a recorded sex ratio of 1:1.33 (male: female).