1Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture; Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura193201, Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory), India
2Division of Horticulture; Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura193201, Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory), India
*Email: drsajadento@skuastkashmir.ac.in (corresponding author)
Online Published on 18 October, 2023.
Biology of Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was studied on bottle gourd under laboratory conditions. It was observed that 4-10 eggs/ female were laid singly or in clusters, embedded vertically or slightly slanting inside the fruits. Preoviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition and incubation periods were observed to be from 10 to 16, 11 to 28, 1 to 4 and 1 to 3 days, respectively. Mean larval period was 1.4, 1.8 and 2.8 days, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars, respectively, with total larval duration of 6.0 days. Prepupal and pupal period were 0.9 and 8.2 days, respectively. The mean longevity of male and female was 28.4 and 31.6 days, respectively.
Zeugodacus tau, Lagenaria siceraria, Biology, Morphometrics, Developmental stages, Instars, Larval period, Pupal period, Oviposition, Longevity
