Rearing of bactrocera melanotus and b. Xanthodes (Diptera: Tephritidae) for postharvest disinfestation research

Abstract

A rearing technique was developed for two species of fruit fly, Bactrocera melanotus (Coquillett) and B. xanthodes (Broun), and key life‐cycle parameters were determined. The technique included developing a novel larval diet with no bulking agent. The mean life‐cycle parameters for B. melanotus and B. xanthodes, respectively, at 26 ± 1°C were: egg hatch, 40 h and 44 h; egg to pupa, 10 days for both species; preoviposition period, 21 days and 12 days; egg to egg, 44 days and 35 days. Colonies were maintained in the laboratory for over 20 consecutive generations. Results are discussed in relation to production of eggs and various larval instars for postharvest disinfestation research. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 1997.