SEASONAL BIONOMICS OF MELON FRUIT FLY, BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE COQUILLETT ON BOTTLE GOURD IN LABORATORY CONDITION

NSave Nature to Survive 8(1&2): 157-162, 2014 SEASONAL BIONOMICS OF MELON FRUIT FLY, BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE COQUILLETT ON BOTTLE GOURD IN LABORATORY CONDITION PARAMITA BHOWMIK*, LAISHRAM LAISHANA DEVI, MONILAL CHATTERJEE 1 AND DIPAK MANDAL 2 1 Department of Agricultural Entomology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur - 741252, West Bengal, INDIA, 2 Regional Plant Quarantine Station, FB Block, Sector- III, Salt Lake City - 97, Kolkata, West Bengal, INDIA e-mail: paramita.bhowmik2@gmail.com ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.) is an important pest of cucurbit fruits in the world (Dhillon et al., 2005). It is also the most common and destructive pest of cucurbits throughout Indo-Pakistan subcontinent (JainHu et al., 2008) and damage to about 20 cucurbitaceous and solanaceous hosts all over the Pakistan (Syed, 1971). Jha et al. (2007) observed infestation of fruit fly to the tune of 17% on the crop in the district of Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia. For cucurbits, especially bitter gourd, the melon fruit fly damage is the major limiting factor in obtaining good quality fruits and high yield (Srinivasan, 1959; Lall and Singh, 1969; Mote, 1975; Rabindranath and Pillai, 1986). Barma and Jha (2013) opinioned that B. cucurbitae, Coq. is one of the most important pests of pointed gourd. The extent of losses varies between 30 to 100%, depending on the cucurbit species and the season (Sapkota et al., 2010). Maggots feed inside the fruits. Generally, the females prefer to lay the eggs in soft tender fruit tissues by piercing them with the ovipositor. The eggs are laid into unopened flowers, and the larvae successfully develop in the taproots, stems, and leaf stalks (Weems and Heppner, 2001). Miyatake et al. (1993) reported <1% damage by pseudo-punctures by the sterile females in cucumber, sponge gourd and bitter gourd. The fruits attack in early stages fail to develop properly and drop or rot on the plant. The melon fruit fly remains active throughout the year on one or the other host. During the severe winter months, they hide and huddle together under dried leaves of bushes and trees. During the hot and dry season, the flies take shelter under humid and shady places and feed on honeydew of aphids infesting the fruit trees (Dhillon et al., 2005). Its life cycle lasts from 21 to 179 days (Narayanan and Batra, 1960). Development from egg to adult stage takes 13 days at 29ºC (Hollingsworth et al., 1997). High temperature and long period of sunshine as well as plantation activity influence the B. cucurbitae abundance (Lee et al., 1992). Bhatia and Mahto (1969) reported that the life cycle is completed in 36.3, 23.6, 11.2, and 12.5 days at 15, 20, 27.5, and 30ºC, respectively. There are 8 to 10 generations in a year (White and Elson-Harris, 1994; Weems and Heppner, 2001). Therefore, there is a basic need to identify the vulnerable stages of this devastating menace by thorough understanding of its bio-ecology which in turn helps us in determining appropriate time of action and suitable management methods to be adopted. MATERIALS AND METHODS The life cycle study was carried out during 2011 (June- July at 33.11 ± 2.35ºC and 96.31 ± 3.09 per cent RH and November-December at 27.61 ± 3.38ºC and 96.48 ± 3.74 per cent RH) and 2012 (February-March at 31.47 ± 3.39ºC and 92.68 ± 6.02 per cent RH, May-June at 35.73 ± 2.73ºC and 91.07 ± 6.59 per Present studies on seasonal bionomics of Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett on bottle gourd were carried out in the laboratory during 2011 and 2012. During 2011 and 2012, the egg incubation, total larval (maggot) and pupal periods were 1-2, 3-9 and 4-9 days in summer and rainy season and 2-3, 8-23 and 6-14 days in winter, respectively. The male and female adult longevity were 14-30 days and 15-33 days during summer and rainy season and 23-72 days and 22-76 days in winter, respectively during both the years. Results also indicated that the sex ratio of adult was found to be more or less similar during the experiment in both years i.e. 1-1.063: 1-2.096. KEY WORDS Melon fruit fly Bottle gourd Seasonal bionomics Sex ratio Received : 03.03.2014 Revised : 28.04.2014 Accepted : 26.05.2014 *Corresponding author 157

PARAMITA BHOWMIK et al., cent RH, July-August at 32.6 ± 1.84ºC and 95.83 ± 4.23 per cent RH and November-December at 26.6 ± 3.09ºC and 95.36 ± 4.57 per cent RH). Infested bottle gourd fruits were collected from the untreated fields and cut very carefully with the sharp knife at the point of injury. Then tiny whitish cluster of eggs were observed within the cut portion with the help of hand lens. The fresh cucurbit fruits then cut into cylindrical shapes and the middle portion of one side was scooped out with the help of sharp knife. The eggs of melon fruit fly were then placed on this small hole and the scooped out portion was placed over it to cover it so that eggs did not lose moisture. After that the cylindrical shaped cucurbit fruit with eggs was kept in a beaker (500mL) with mixture of 1:1 ratio of soil and vermicompost at the bottom of beaker to facilitate the pupation. The upper portion of the beaker was covered with muslin cloth to prevent the egg laying by other insects. The data was recorded every day closely to observe different stages of fruit fly. After hatching of maggots, the food was replaced as and when required until their pupation take place. When all the full grown maggots entered the soil for pupation, the rotten fruits and the muslin cloth from beaker were removed and placed it into a cage (0.4 x 3.5 m 2 ) for better movement of the adults. After emergence, the adult flies were provided with sugar solution diet (water, sugar and yeast in the ratio of 2:1:1 respectively) which was followed by Jha (2008). The tender fresh fruits of bottle gourd were provided into the cage for egg laying. After a few days female fruit flies laid egg on fresh fruits. Observation Regular observations on incubation period, maggot period, pupal period, adult longevity and sex ratio were recorded. For calculation of duration of life stages average and standard deviation were worked out from the observed data. N S N = 1 ( χi χ ) 2, N i = 1 Where {χ 1, χ 2,,χN} are the observed values of the sample items and x is the mean value of these observations, while the denominator N stands for the size of the sample. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Life cycle of melon fruit fly Different stages of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) Melon fruit fly consists of four stages of life cycle: egg, maggot, pupa and adult. The description and duration of different life stages of melon fruit fly were depicted in Table 1 and 2. Eggs The adult female punctured the rind of soft and tender fruits with its ovipositor and laid eggs within the ovipuncture. The freshly punctured fruits exuded fluid which later on dried up and appeared like brown resinous deposit. Studies on the biology of B. cucurbitae revealed that the eggs of fruit fly were slightly curved elongated cylindrical, tapering towards the ends, creamy white in colour, egg surface was sculptured with numerous longitudinal ridges and grooves. Freshly laid eggs measured from 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm in length with an average of 1.06 ± 0.25 mm and 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm in width with an average of 0.21± 0.08 mm (Table 1). This result was similar to the findings of Bannerjee et al. (2011) who observed the length of eggs is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. Larvae They passed through three larval instars to become adult. The 1 st instar maggots were apodus, translucent and white in colour, a little bit flattened dorso-ventrally and pointed at anterior ends. They had mouth hooks at anterior part of the body. The length of 1 st instar larvae varied from 1.1 mm to 1.92 mm with an average of 1.6 ± 0.25 mm and the width ranged between 02 mm to 0.39 mm with an average of 0.27 ± 0.05 mm as shown in Table 1. The 2 nd instar maggots were also a little bit flattened dorsoventrally and borad posteriorly but gradually tappering anteriorly and pointed at the head with mouth hooks. The length of the 2 nd instar larvae varied from 4 mm to 4.52 mm with an average of 4.23 ± 0.16 mm and the width ranged between 1.05 mm to 1.4 mm with an average of 1.22 ± 0.12 mm (Table 1). The 3 rd instar maggots were yellowish in colour due to accumulation of reserved food materials and were more opaque than the first and second instar maggots. The head structures were similar to those of the preceding instars although they became increase in size and length. The last body segment of the maggots was largest. The mature maggots, unlike the first and second instars, had the peculiar capacity of shifting itself from one place to another by a series of jumps after leaving the host prior to pupation. The length and width of 3 rd instar maggots varied from 7 mm to 11 mm with an average of 9.5± 0.9 mm and 0.67 mm to 1.33 mm with an average of 1.31 ± 0.12 mm respectively (Table 1). Pupae Pupation took place in soil. Freshly formed pupa was yellowish in colour and later turned reddish brown. Pupa was barrel shaped and anterior was narrower than posterior portion. Pupae were coarctate type and had hard wall which is called puparium. There were eleven distinct segments and the last segment was somewhat more prominent. The length and width of pupae varied from 4.25 mm to 6.1 mm (average 5.22 ± 0.52 mm) and 1.9 mm to 2.5 mm (average 2.1 ± 0.12 mm) respectively as shown in Table 1. The more or less similar, findings are observed by Banerjee et al. (2011) who reported that pupae of melon fruit fly are 5 to 8 mm long and brown in colour. Adults The adult flies were reddish brown with lemon yellow, curved, vertical marking on the thorax and shading on the outer margin of the wings. Males were smaller in size than the females. The female was distinguishable easily by the presence of a tapering abdomen tending in a sharp ovipositor which is the formed by the 7 th to 11 th abdominal segments. Adults are 4 to 5 mm long having a wing expanse of 11 to 13 mm and 14 to 16 mm in males and females respectively reported by Banerjee et al. (2011). 158

SEASONAL BIONOMICS OF MELON FRUIT FLY, The male length varied from 5.5 mm to 9 mm with an average of 7.28± 0.9 mm and width varied from 7 mm to 14 mm with an average of 9.97± 1.62 mm. The length of female melon fruit fly ranged between 7 mm to 10 mm with an average of 8.83 ±1.02 mm and width varied from 8 mm to 16 mm with an average of 10.75 ± 1.88 mm (Table 1). Life cycle of Bactrocera cucurbitae Incubation period Studies on the life cycle of cucurbit fruit fly, B. cucurbitae revealed that the eggs were elliptical and pure white. They were almost flat on the ventral surface and more convex on the dorsal. The incubation period was 1.2 ± 0.42 days in June-July at average temperature of 33.11 ± 2.35ºC and relative humidity 96.31 ± 3.09 per cent and 1.7 ± 0.82 days in November-December at average temperature of 27.61 ± 3.38ºC and relative humidity 96.48 ± 3.74 per cent during 2011. But in 2012, the incubation period was 1.5 ± 0.71 days, 1.2± 0.42 days, 1.5 ± 0.53 days and 1.6 ± 0.52 days in February-March, May-June, July-August and November- December at an average temperature of 31.47 ± 3.39ºC, 35.73 ± 2.73ºC, 32.6 ± 1.84ºC and 26.6 ± 3.09ºC and relative humidity 92.68 ± 6.02, 91.07 ± 6.59, 95.83 ± 4.23 and 95.36 ± 4.57 per cent, respectively (Table 2). The results on incubation periods of the present study was in the close agreement with those of Atwal (1986) who reported that incubation lasts 2 days. Similarly, Khan et al. (1993) reported more or less the same, incubation period as reported in the present study, whereas, Shivarkar and Dumbre (1985a) find incubation period of B. cucurbitae 1.20 days on water melon. The present finding was in conformity with Koul and Bhagat (1994) who reported the hatching period from 1.00 to 5.10 days on bitter gourd. Jha (2008) reported that egg incubation period varies from 2 to 9 days on bitter gourd. The incubation period is 2.29±0.18 days on musk melon and Indian squash in the laboratory and field condition (Lanjar et al., 2013). Larval period On hatching, the larvae fed on cut pieces of the fresh cucurbit fruits and they passed through three larval instars to become an adult. The duration of 1 st instar was 1.3 ± 0.48 days in June-July and 2.3 ± 0.48 days in November-December at average temperature of 33.11 ± 2.35ºC and 27.61 ± 3.38ºC and relative humidity 96.31 ± 3.09 and 96.48 ± 3.74 per cent, respectively during 2011. But in 2012, the duration was found to be 1.5 ± 0.53, 1.2 ± 0.42, 1.1 ± 0.32 and 1.9 ± 0.74 days in February-March, May-June, July-August and November-December at an average temperature of 31.47 ± 3.39ºC, 35.73 ± 2.73ºC, 32.6 ± 1.84ºC and 26.6 ± 3.09ºC and relative humidity 92.68 ± 6.02, 91.07 ± 6.59, 95.83 ± 4.23 and 95.36 ± 4.57 per cent, respectively. The 2 nd instar maggots were broad tapering at both ends and the duration were 2.3 ± 0.48 and 4.7 ± 0.82 days in June-July and November-December, respectively in 2011 and 3.4 ± 0.52, 2.3 ± 0.48, 1.4 ± 0.52 and 3.5 ± 0.53 days in February- March, May-June, July-August and November-December in 2012, respectively. The duration of 3 rd instars were 3.4 ± 0.52 and 10.9 ± 2.28 days in June-July and November- December during 2011. The duration was 8.9 ± 1.66, 2.6 ± 0.52, 1.6 ± 0.52 and 5.3 ± 1.16 days in February-March, May-June, July-August and November-December in 2012, respectively. Total maggot period was 7 ± 1.05 and 17.8 ± 3.26 days in respective months in 2011 and 13.4 ± 2.37, 6.2 ± 1.03, 4 ± 1.05and 11.2 ± 2.04 days during respective months during 2012 (Table 2). The result was also in conformity with Renjhan (1949), Narayanan and Batra (1960) and Hollingsworth et al. (1997) who reported that the larval period to last from 3 to 21 days depending on temperature and the host. On different cucurbit species, the larval period varies from 3 to 6 days (Chawla, 1966; Chelliah, 1970; Doharey, 1983; Shivarkar and Dumbre, 1985; Koul and Bhagat, 1994; Gupta and Verma, 1995). Jha et al. (2008) reported that the larval period varies from 5 to 7 days in July- August and 14 to 20 days in August-October. Duration of I instar is 2 days, II instar 1-2 days (average 1.7 days), III instar 2-3 days (average 2.6 days) and total larval period 6-7 days (average 6.3 days) at 28-30ºC and 75-85% relative humidity (Bannerjee et al., 2011). Pupal period The duration of pupal period was 5 ± 1.41 and 13.3 ± 0.48 days in June-July and November-December during 2011 at an average temperature of 33.11 ± 2.35ºC and 27.61 ± 3.38ºC and relative humidity 96.31 ± 3.09 and 96.48 ± 3.74 per cent, respectively. During 2012, it was 9.9 ± 0.99, 7 ± 1.05, 5.3 ± 0.48 and 10.2 ± 2.1 days in February-March, May- June, July-August and November-December in 2012, respectively at average temperature of 31.47 ± 3.39ºC, 35.73 ± 2.73ºC, 32.6 ± 1.84ºC and 26.6 ± 3.09ºC and relative humidity 92.68 ± 6.02, 91.07 ± 6.59, 95.83 ± 4.23 and 95.36 ± 4.57 per cent, respectively (Table 2). Doharey (1983) also observed that the pupal period lasts for 7 days on bitter Table 1: Measurement of different life stages of Bactrocera cucurbitae Stage Length (mm) Breadth (mm) Min. Max. Av. ± SD Min. Max. Av. ± SD Egg 0.75 1.5 1.06 ± 0.25 0.1 0.3 0.21± 0.08 Maggot I instar 1.1 1.92 1.6 ± 0.25 0.2 0.39 0.27 ± 0.05 II instar 4 4.52 4.23 ± 0.16 1.05 1.4 1.22 ± 0.12 III instar 7 11 9.5± 0.9 0.67 1.33 1.31 ± 0.12 Pupa 4.25 6.1 5.22 ± 0.52 1.9 2.5 2.1 ± 0.12 Adult Male 5.5 9 7.28± 0.9 7 14 9.97± 1.62 Female 7 10 8.83 ±1.02 8 16 10.75 ± 1.88 Data based on 30 observations. Figures in parenthesis are ranges. 159

PARAMITA BHOWMIK et al., Table 2: Duration of various stages in life cycle and sex ratio of Bactrocera cucurbitae during different period of 2011 and 2012 Stages of B. cucurbitae 2011 2012 June-July Nov.-Dec. Feb.-March May-June July-Aug Nov.-Dec Incubation period (days) 1-2 (1.2 ± 0.42) 2-3 (1.7 ± 0.82) 2-3 (1.5 ± 0.71) 1-2 (1.2± 0.42) 1-2 (1.5 ± 0.53) 1-2 (1.6 ± 0.52) Maggot period (days) I instar 1-2(1.3 ± 0.48) 2-3(2.3 ± 0.48) 1-2(1.5 ± 0.53) 1-2(1.2 ± 0.42) 1-2(1.1 ± 0.32) 1-3(1.9 ± 0.74) II instar 2-3(2.3 ± 0.48) 4-6(4.7 ± 0.82) 3-4(3.4 ± 0.52) 2-3(2.3 ± 0.48) 1-2(1.4 ± 0.52) 3-4(3.5 ± 0.53) III instar 3-4(3.4 ± 0.52) 8-14(10.9 ± 2.28) 6-11(8.9 ± 1.66) 2-3(2.6 ± 0.52) 1-2(1.6 ± 0.52) 4-7(5.3 ± 1.16) Total maggot period 6-9(7 ± 1.05) 14-23(17.8 ± 3.26) 10-17(13.4 ± 2.37) 5-8(6.2 ± 1.03) 3-6(4 ± 1.05) 8-14(11.2 ± 2.04) Pupal period (days) 4-8(5 ± 1.41) 13-14(13.3 ± 0.48) 8-11(9.9 ± 0.99) 6-9(7 ± 1.05) 5-6(5.3 ± 0.48) 6-13(10.2 ± 2.1) Adult period (days) Male 5-8(6 ± 1.05) 9-32(21.2 ± 7.8) 6-15(11.5 ± 2.64) 7-11(8.2 ± 1.4) 5-9(6.6 ± 1.43) 8-28(20.8 ± 5.87) Female 9-12(9.8 ± 1.03) 8-36(23.2 ± 9.65) 15-18(16.2 ± 1.23) 10-14 (11.5 ± 1.51) 6-12(8.3 ± 2) 7-30(21.9 ± 7.80) Total life period (days) Male 16-27(20 ± 3.4) 38-72(56.9 ± 11.12) 26-46(36.5 ± 7.12) 19-30(24.6 ± 3.6) 14-23(18.8 ± 2.78) 23-57(42.5 ± 12.2) Female 20-31(25.2 ± 3.82) 37-76 (54.1 ± 13.65) 35-49(41.2 ± 4.57) 22-33(26.7 ± 3.4) 15-26(19.6 ± 3.63) 22-59(41.4 ± 10.05) Male: Female ratio 1.063: 1 1: 1.03 1: 2.096 1.063: 1 1: 1 1: 1.09 Temperature ( C) 33.11 ± 2.35 (26.5-37) 27.61 ± 3.38 (20-33.4) 31.47 ± 3.39 (24-38) 35.73 ± 2.73 (25.2-41) 32.6 ± 1.84(29-38) 26.6 ± 3.09(17.2-31.2) Relative humidity (%) 96.31 ± 3.09 (86-100) 96.48 ± 3.74 (76-100) 92.68 ± 6.02 (66-98) 91.07 ± 6.59 (63-100) 95.83 ± 4.23(83-100) 95.36 ± 4.57(78-100) Data based on 10 observations. Figures in parenthesis are range gourd and 7.2 days on pumpkin and squash gourd at 27 ± 1ºC. In general, the pupal period lasts for 6 to 9 days during the rainy season and 15 days during the winter (Narayanan and Batra, 1960). Depending on temperature and the host, the pupal period might have varied from 7 to 13 days (Hollingsworth et al., 1997) which was drawn a very close agreement with our present observations. On different hosts, the pupal period lasts for 7.7 to 9.4 days on bitter gourd, cucumber and sponge gourd (Gupta and Verma, 1995). It is 6 to 11 days in July-August and 15 to 25 days in August-October on bitter gourd reported by Jha (2008). Koul and Bhagat (1994), Khan et al. (1993) reported that the pupal period is found to be 6.5 to 21.8 days on bottle gourd. Banerjee et al. (2011) reported that pupal period varies subsequently from 7 to 11 days at 29-31ºC temperature and 81-85% relative humidity. Adult period The longevity of adult male was 6 ± 1.05 and 21.2 ± 7.8 days during June-July and November-December, respectively in 2011. It was 11.5 ± 2.64, 8.2 ± 1.4, 6.6 ± 1.43 and 20.8 ± 5.87 days in February-March, May-June, July-August and November-December in 2012, respectively. The longevity of adult female were 9.8 ± 1.03 and 23.2 ± 9.65 days during June-July and November-December in 2011 and 16.2 ± 1.23, 11.5 ± 1.51, 8.3 ± 2 and 21.9 ± 7.80 days during February- March, May-June, July-August and November-December in 2012, respectively. Female flies survived more days than male flies. Total life span of male was 20 ± 3.4 and 56.9 ± 11.12 days during June-July and November-December in 2011 and 36.5 ± 7.12, 24.6 ± 3.6, 18.8 ± 2.78 and 42.5 ± 12.2 days during February-March, May-June, July-August and November- December in 2012, respectively. The total life period of adult female was found to be 25.2 ± 3.82 and 54.1 ± 13.65 days during June-July and November-December in 2011 and 41.2 ± 4.57, 26.7 ± 3.4, 19.6 ± 3.63 and 41.4 ± 10.05 days during February-March, May-June, July-August and November- December in 2012, respectively (Table 2). It was observed that during winter months (Nov-Dec) the development duration of immature stage was much prolonged. Female flies were lived long than the male flies. The results were more or less conformity with the findings of Lall and Singh (1959) who reported the life cycle duration from 12.50 to 13.20 days during June-July. The total developmental period of this fruit fly on bitter gourd is found to be 15.60 days in July-August and 42.10 days in August- October (Jha, 2008). Gupta and Verma (1992) reported that adult longevity is 34.30 days in case of female and 29 days in male. Koul and Bhagat (1994) observed that female live for 21.70 to 32.70 days and male live for 15 to 28.50 days on bitter gourd. Adult longevity varies from 49.70 days in July- August and 28.40 days in August-October on bitter gourd (Jha, 2008). Manzar and Srivastava (2009) who revealed that longevity of male is 12.74+or-2.83 days and that of female is 15.03+or-3.14 days in June and July. The duration of adult longevity in our observation was similar with the result observed by Koul and Bhagat (1994) and Renjhan (1949), who reported the duration of larval and pupal period lengthen in winter and shorten in summer period. The results of incubation, larval and pupal periods were in closely agreement with that of Vargas et al. (1989) reported that the duration of 160

SEASONAL BIONOMICS OF MELON FRUIT FLY, immature stages ranges from 12.9 to 40 days and the female longevity ranges from 35.6 to 136.5 and male ranges from 37.5-220.0 days. Sex ratio The sex ratio (Male: Female) of adult was found to be 1.063: 1 and 1: 1.03 during June-July and November-December in 2011. But in 2012, the ratio was found to be 1: 2.096, 1.063: 1, 1: 1 and 1: 1.09 during February-March, May-June, July- August and November-December in 2012, respectively. Banerjee et al. (2011) postulated that the sex ratio of adult is 1.2: 1 at 29-30ºC and relative humidity from 78 to 81% which is more or less similar with the present investigation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We thank Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for identification of fruit fly species; Mr. Raghunath Kaja of Pheromone Chemicals, Hyderabad for supplying cue-lure blocks time to time and Dr. Shambhu Pal and Mrs. Soma Chakrobarty of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya for technical advice. 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