Studies on the biology and control of melon fly Dacus cucurbitae (Coq.) Diptera, Trypetidae.
Lall B. S., Singh B. N.
Author Affiliation: Division of Entomology, Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, India.
Labdev Journal of Science and Technology, B 7 : 148-153
Abstract : In recent years, Dacus cucurbitae Coq. has caused heavy losses of cucurbits in the Indian State of Bihar. Studies (details of which are set out in tables) were therefore made on the life-history of the fly in the laboratory and in the field, on the varietal resistance of different kinds of bittergourd [Momordica charantia], one of the most susceptible crops in Bihar, and on the effectiveness of various bait-sprays and bait-traps. In laboratory rearing, adults were kept in breeding cages with slices of cucumber; slices containing eggs were removed to glass troughs containing a layer of sand and more cucumber, in which the larval stage was passed, the pupae were transferred to petri dishes of moist sand to prevent desiccation, and the ensuing adults were returned to the breeding cages. Under these conditions 9-10 generations were reared, each lasting 12.56-33.61 days according to the time of year. In the field, D. cucurbitae was active on various cucurbits from February to November; from December to mid-February the adults did not breed and were observed clustering under the leaves of guava, Citrus, mango and other trees. In tests of sweetened insecticide sprays, containing 0.02% toxicant, endrin was more effective than dieldrin, malathion or isobenzan (Telodrin). In tests of bait-traps, in which various combinations of fermented palm juice, sugar, dried mango juice and oil of citronella were mixed with 10% diazinon, the catches of flies were highest with mixtures of either citronella oil, dried mango juice, palm juice and diazinon or sugar, palm juice and diazinon.