Biology and biometrics of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata on peach

Abstract

The biology and biometrics of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata Saunders (Diptera: Tephritidae), was studied on peach fruit, Prunus persica L. (Rosaceae), under laboratory conditions (25-30 ºC and 70-75% R.H.) at the Division of Agricultural Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India during 2013-14. The mean length and width of eggs were 1.0 mm and 0.2 mm. The first, second, and third instars were a mean of 2.0, 5.7, and 9.7 mm in length and 0.2, 1.3, and 2.3 mm in width, respectively. The mean duration of prepupal and pupal stages was 1.8 and 10.7 days. The mating period ranged between 4 and 6 hours. Similarly, the total life spans from egg to death of the adult male and female varied between 34.5-61.5 days and 35.5-65.0 days, respectively. Results indicated that 30-43 per cent of B. zonata adults emerged between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the first and second day. The pre-ovipositional period lasted for 15.8 days, and the ovipositional period lasted for 32.3 days. Fecundity ranged from 53-139 eggs, and the sex ratio was 1.0:1.3 (male: female).