1Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Raichur584104, Karnataka, India
2Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai400085, Maharashtra, India
3Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kalaburagi585104, Karnataka, India
4Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Bheemarayanagudi585287, Karnataka, India
*Email: bskalmath@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online Published on 18 February, 2026.
Fruit flies are polyphagous insect pests, infesting various fruits and vegetables. The host preference and biology of guava fruit fly Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) were studied on 17 hosts. Biological parameters such as incubation period, maggot and pupal period, maggot and pupal weight, pupal recovery, adult emergence, total fecundity and adult longevity were studied. All biological parameters were significantly influenced by the host fruits. The results showed that the total developmental period was longer on pomegranate (26.7± 2.1 days), ber (26.1± 2.4 days) and custard apple (25.1± 1.5 days); while shorter period was observed on sweet banana (20.1± 1.6 days). Pupal recovery was maximum on sweet banana (93.33%) and lowest on mango (Totapuri) (42%). The adult emergence was also more on sweet banana (90%) and survived for longer period. Sweet banana was preferred for oviposition followed by guava, papaya, and sapota.
Bactrocera correcta, Tephritidae, Fruits, Host preference, Adult longevity, Larval weight, Pupal weight, Larval period, Developmental biology, Pupal recovery, Oviposition, Fecundity, Incubation period
