Biology and Population of Melon Fruit fly on Musk Melon and Indian Squash

Present studies on biology and population of melon friutfly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.) on musk melon and Indian squash were carried out in the laboratory and under field during 2012. The result showed that egg incubation, larval (maggot) and pupal periods 2.29±0.18, 8.94±0.64 and 9.94±1.03 days were recorded, while, pre-oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods 11.00±0.62, 19.29±1.19 and 10.66±082 days of B. cucurbitae observed in present studies were respectively. Fecundity potential ranged from 50 to 91 (74.14±4.90) eggs per female. The male and female adult longevity recorded was 37.86±1.40 and 40.86±0.86 days. Results also indicated that there were three population peaks on musk melon, i.e., 91.4±3.56, 77.4±2.48, 56.2±2.67 male per trap during first and third week of April and first week of May and two population peaks on Indian squash i.e., 81.8±3.44, 66.4±3.50 males per trap during first and third week of April, respectively.