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Effects of Temperature on the Development of Melon Fly, Bactrocera Cucurbitae (coquellett)

G. Nahar
Institute of Food and Radiation Biology Atomic Energy Research Establishment G P.O Box 3787 Dhaka 1000 Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A laboratory investigation was conducted to study the effect of five different constant temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 and 37⁰C) on various biological parameters of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq). The high temperatures shortened the developmental periods and low temperature lengthened the same. The highest percent adult emergence (88.50 ± 2.58) and adult longevity (90.33 ± 2.85) was recorded at 30⁰C. The development of the fly was completed at all the experimental temperatures except 37⁰ C and the range 25 - 30⁰ C was proved to be the optimum.

Keywords: Fruitflies, Temperature, Development

Location: Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Insects

Objectives:

To quantify and to compare major thermal effects on immature life stages and to find whether low temperature control of the immature stages is possible.

Methodology:

Insects, Bactrocera cucurbitae were reared in the fruit fly laboratory, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka. The adult insects were reared in steel framed cages (40 x 40 x 40 cm) covered with mosquito net with an opening at the front for handling the insects. Soon after emergence, they were provided with sugar and water. The adult diet was composed of sugar, casein and hydrolyzed yeast in a ratio of 2:1:1 and provided one day after emergence. The experiment was conducted at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 37⁰C constant temperatures and 75 ± 5 % R.H. The constant temperatures were maintained within incubators. The cohorts of freshly emerged unmated adult males and females were randomly collected from the stock culture of which 20 pairs were placed in a small cage (25 x 25 x 15 cm) with food for each temperature regime. The experiment at each temperature was replicated five times. The duration of incubation of eggs, the life stages and the pupal weight at each temperature were noted. The percentage adult emergence and adult longevity were also recorded. The developmental zero (K) was calculated by using the formula: K = dt = DT/d- D and the thermal constant (C) by using the formula: C = (T - K) D (Dumbleton 1939, Muggeridge 1942), where 'K' is the developmental zero, 'd' is the total number of days required for development at lower temperature 't' and 'D' is the total number of days required for development at the higher temperature 'T'. The data for different characteristics and the developmental stages at different temperatures were subjected to an analysis of ariance. The growth indices (G.I.s) of the fly at different temperatures were calculated using the formula : (G.I=( Adults emerged (%) / Total larval+ pupal periods).

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Sci. 33(1): 61-64, January, 2006

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results of this study indicate that low temperature can delay the development of this insect but cannot control their population. B. cucurbitae completed their development at temperatures from 20 to 35⁰C and the optimum temperature for the development lies between 25 to 30⁰C.

Knowledge Management: Journal