STANDARDIZATION OF MASS REARING TECHNIQUE FOR THE FRUIT FLY

The population of both the fruit flies B. dorsalis and B. zonata prevailed throughout the year in mango orchard with their peak activity from 14th SMW to 31st SMW which coincided with the fruiting and harvesting period of fruits. The female of B. zonata laid eggs in clusters of 2 to 14 eggs just underneath the rind of fruit, 1-4 mm deep in the epidermis. The incubation period of eggs was 2.40±0.48 days, whereas the hatching percentage was 82.63±6.94 per cent. The maggot and pre-puparial periods were 7.20±1.51 and 0.77±0.11 days, respectively. The pupation took place at depth of 0.50 to 6.00 cm in moist sand. The average puparial, pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period were 8.10±1.02, 12.3±1.13, 13.30±2.45 and 5.10±0.72 days, respectively. The sex ratio of male:female was 1:1.20. The total life cycle of male was shorter than the female. The total life cycle was completed in 22.00 to 36.00 days on mango. Banana and sapota are the best host for mass production of B. zonata throughout the year as compared to other hosts due to their availability throughout the year and short life cycle of fruit fly.