Laboratory studies of the effects of selected tropical fruits on the larvae of Dacus dorsalis, Hendel.
Ibrahim A. G., Rahman M. D. A.
Author Affiliation: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Pertanika 5 : 90-94
Abstract : The descending order of suitability of tropical fruits for larval development in Dacus dorsalis Hend. in the laboratory in Malaysia was papaya, carambola (Averrhoa carambola), banana, mango = water melon, jackfruit (Artocarpus polyphema (champeden)), citrus and pineapple. The weight of the pupa averaged 11.6 g and the duration of the life-cycle 20.4 days on papaya, as compared with 4.9 g and 17.4 days on pineapple. On papaya, the life-cycle depended on the density of the larvae within the food; at 10 larvae to 20 g food the life-cycle lasted 21.7 days, and at 50 larvae to 20 g food it lasted 15.1 days. The percentage adult emergence decreased with increasing larval density.