Effect of various depths of pupation on adult emergence of interspecific hybrid of Bactrocera carambolae and Bactrocera dorsalis

Abstract

The depth of the pupation is one of the important factors in the success of fruit flies to become imago. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil depth on survival, normality dan development time of adult interspecific hybrids of Bactrocera carambolae (Drew & Hancock) and B. dorsalis (Hendel). The experiments were carried out in a laboratory consisting of seven depths of pupation treatments (4 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, and 60 cm) with four replications. Soil depth had a significant, negative effect on the survival of the emergence and development time of B. dorsalis and B. carambolae hybrids. The emergence rate was found to decrease with the increase in pupation depth. The higher survival of the emergence of the hybrid occurred at a depth of 4 cm (95% ± 1.91) and 10 cm (86% ± 2.58), while the lower survival occurred at a depth of 50 cm (12% ± 1.63) and 60 cm (5% ± 3.79). Normal imagoes were found in all soil depths except in 60 cm depth, where all imagoes had abnormal morphology. Means of development time ranged from 8.88 to 10.63 days. The depth of pupation influences the duration of pupae development. The means of development time at a depth of 4–40 cm was similar, but at a depth of 50 cm and 60 cm, a significantly longer time of development were observed. for more effective fruit fly control, this study suggests burying rotten fruit in the soil at a depth of 50 cm or more as a preventive measure for the development of fruit flies.