Biological studies on Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) revealed that the egg length was 1.03 ± 0.16 mm while breadth 0.23 ± 0.04 mm. The incubation period was 30.86 ± 4.75 hours, while first, second and third instar maggots measured respectively 1.35 ± 0.12, 5.18 ± 0.67 and 9.29 ± 0.59 mm in length and 0.24 ± 0.04, 0.86 ± 1.00 and 1.76 ± 0.18 mm in breadth with a duration of 0.60 ± 0.20, 1.61 ± 0.33 and 2.39 ± 0.32 days. The total maggot period ranged from 3 to 7 days. The prepupal period lasted for 12 to 24 hours, while the pupal period ranged from 5 to 9 days. Mating period ranged from 2 – 6 hours, pre-ovipositional period lasted for 15.76 ± 2.06 days while ovipositional period for 30.88 ± 8.93 days. Fecundity ranged from 90 to 205 eggs. Adult longevity ranged from12 to 50 and 27 to 60 days in male and female respectively.
Biology, Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae
