Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Radhika, SD Bantewad, MM Sonkamble and RN Udavant

Abstract:
Biological studies on melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae were conducted at Department of Entomology laboratory, VNMKV Parbhani Maharashtra. To study the morpho metric features of melon fruit fly on host bitter gourd during rainy season 2021. The research revealed that the freshly laid eggs of melon fruit fly were pure white in color and elliptical in shape. The mean length and breadth of egg was 0.735±0.057 mm and 0.153±0.017 mm, respectively. Maggots passed through three instars to attain pupal stage. The first, second and third instar maggot measured on an average 1.44±0.03, 5.02±0.40 and 8.13±0.95 mm in length and 0.25±0.02, 0.47±0.09 and 1.41±0.20 mm in breadth, respectively. The average length and breadth of pupa was 4.81±0.84 mm and 2.19±0.13 mm, respectively. The average length and breadth of female was 8.54±0.43 mm and 2.49±0.11 mm, respectively, whereas, the male measured 7.07±0.55 mm in length and 2.42±0.16 mm in breadth indicating that females being larger in size than males.