Oviposition Preference and Performance of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Four Colour Types of Willard mango (Mangifera indica L)

Abstract

Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel is the most widespread serious fruit pest in Asia and the knowledge on oviposition behaviour of B. dorsalis on different fruit varieties are vital for effective management of the pest. Hence, the present study investigated the preference and oviposition behaviour of B. dorsalis on different colour types of Willard mango variety. A series of choice and non-choice laboratory experiments for testing the oviposition preference were conducted and tested fruits were incubated until pupation and the emergence of adults. The results revealed that female B. dorsalis showed a significantly high preference to visit and oviposit in yellow colour Willard mangoes (p < /em><0.05) over red, orange and green colours. The number of pupae and number of adult flies that emerged was also significantly high in yellow colour mangoes under choice condition (p < /em><0.05). In both choice and non-choice tests, green colour Willard was less prominently used by female flies for their visiting and ovipositing (p < /em><0.05). The number of visits and visit duration of fruits was positively correlated with oviposition attempts of female flies in choice conditions. In both tests, the number of oviposition attempts was significantly correlated with the number of pupae and adults who emerged. There was no influence of the colour on the percentage of adult emergence from the pupae in non-choice trials. The study findings could be incorporated to plan and implement the control measures to avoid infestations of commercial mango varieties by fruit flies at the field and at the market level.