Studies on Comparative Biology of Fruit Fly Bactrocera caryeae (Kapoor) in Garcinia spp.

Kokum is an important underutilized crop native of the Western Ghats in India which is greatly affected by fruit flies which can cause significant damage to kokum fruits, impacting production and potentially affecting the livelihoods of farmers who rely on this crop. Hence, investigations were undertaken at the Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Sirsi, Uttara Kannada (Karnataka) during 2021 and 2022 to comprehend the biology of Bactrocera caryeae (Kapoor) on Garcinia indica and Garcinia morella under laboratory condition. The facts on comparative biology of B. caryeae on G. indica revealed the average egg period (1.57 and 1.65 d), larval period (11.15 and 11.47 d), pupal period (12.90 and 12.60 d), male longevity (19.90 and 18.85 d), female longevity (23.10 and 23.05 d), fecundity (183.50 and 182.3 eggs) and total life cycle (25.62 and 25.72 d) during 2021 and 2022. Similarly, in G. morella the average egg period (3.05 and 2.87 d), larval period (12.82 and 12.62 d), pupal period (11.85 and 11.85 d), male longevity (18.85 and 18.90 d), female longevity (21.65 and 21.25 d), fecundity (133.7 and 130.80 eggs) and total life cycle (27.72 and 27.35 d) during 2021 and 2022. The present study provided valuable insights into the comparative biology of Bactrocera caryeae on Garcinia indica and Garcinia morella, highlighting significant variations in developmental parameters and reproductive potential. These findings can aid in devising targeted management strategies to mitigate fruit fly infestation in kokum cultivation.