Formosan Entomologist (2006) 26, 249-260
Ming-Ying Lin (2006)
[Bactrocera tau (Diptera: Tephritidae) ovipositional preference on host plants]
Formosan Entomologist 26 (3), 249-260
Abstract: Bactrocera tau ovipositional preference for different host plant species was studied in this research. Ten common host fruits, Benincasa hispida, Carica papaya, Cucumis anguria, Cucumis melo, Cucumis melo var. reticulates, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita moschata, Luffa cylindrica, Lagenaria leucantha and Momordica charantia, were tested in the laboratory. In each experiment, four host fruits were tested using a multiple choice test; a total of 10 experiments were undertaken. The average number of eggs laid on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) was the greatest among the 10 host fruits tested. The next most preferred fruits were pickling cucumber (Cucumis anguria) and sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica). The number of eggs laid by B. tau on fresh fruits and fruits injured by 1st and 2nd instar larvae were not significantly different. However, B. tau preferred to oviposit on fresh fruits and neglected injured fruits when there were 3rd instar larvae present; whether the larvae were B. tau or B. cucurbitae. Comparison of ovipositional preference showed that B. tau strongly preferred to oviposit on fresh fruits, and the same results were obtained on both sponge gourds and cucumbers. The oviposition behavior was observed during the first 60 minutes. Most females were sucking on the rotten fruits during the first 10 minutes, but the majority of females moved from the rotten to the fresh fruits within 30 minutes.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)
Database assignments for author(s): Ming-Ying Lin
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
