Comparative biology of three Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae).
Binay Kumar, Agarwal M. L.
Author Affiliation: Department of Entomology, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur - 848 125, India.
Shashpa 12 : 93-98
Abstract : Laboratory studies were conducted to compare the biology of the fruit flies Bactrocera cucurbitae, B. dorsalis and B. zonata, on the hosts smooth gourd, mango and guava, respectively. Results revealed that pre-oviposition periods in B. cucubitae, B. dorsalis and B. zonata were 14-17, 7-13 and 15-28 days, respectively, while the number of ova laid per day by the female fly of these 3 species varied between 8-15, 15-23 and 12-26, respectively. The average incubation period, average larval duration, average pupal duration and total duration (ova to adult emergence) in B. cucurbitae, B. dorsalis and B. zonata were 1.12, 1.31, 1.33 days; 6.76, 8.29, 6.07 days; 8.87, 8.89, 7.15 days and 16.57, 18.50, 14.56 days, respectively. The hatchability of ova of B. cucurbitae, B. dorsalis and B. zonata was 86.25, 88.75 and 91.25%, respectively. The average survival of their larvae and pupae were 75.0, 82.5, 78.75 and 80.0, 86.25, 77.5%, respectively. The sex ratio (male:female) of these species were 1:0.98, 1:1.23 and 1:1.13, respectively. Brief notes on mating oviposition, larval activity and adult emergence are also included.