Effect of gibberellic acid on the biology of melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquilett Kumar Chethan*, Gupta M. K., Sushmita TH. Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur *Corresponding author Email: kumarchethan93gani@gmail.com
Online published on 23 July, 2019. Abstract The melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillet causes damage to many fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and ornamental plants. In this study, various doses of gibberellic (GA3) has been evaluated for its effect on the biology of B. cucurbitae. The results revealed that the adult emergence reduced to a minimum (47.81%) at 1000 ppm but gradually increased with the decrease in dose. Similarly, the oviposition period was to a maximum of 28.3 days at 10 ppm which gradually decreased to 10.8 days with 1000 ppm. A maximum of 522 egg/female was observed with 10 ppm which gradually decreased with increase in dose, and was at minimum (66 eggs/female) at 1000 ppm. The least of the incubation period was 17.93 hr at 10 ppm which gradually increased with dose to a maximum of 28.8 hr at 1000 ppm. The longevity of male (22.3 days) and female (27.6 days) was the least at 1000 ppm, and it increased with the decrease in dose-to 39.0 days at 10 ppm for females. Top Keywords Bactrocera cucurbitae, gibberellic acid, fecundity, oviposition, incubation period, longevity, male, female, dose dependant. Top |