The Variation of Oviposition Preference and Host Susceptibility of the Oriental Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Commercial Mango Varieties

Abstract

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious fruit pest in South Asia; however, studies of their oviposition behavior on different host fruits in Sri Lanka are insufficient. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the oviposition preference and host susceptibility of B. dorsalis on four commercial mango varieties (Karutha kolumban (Kc), Willard (Wld), Vellai kolumban (Vc), and Betti amba (Ba)) under controlled laboratory conditions. The comparative preference and host susceptibility of B. dorsalis to four mango varieties were tested by a series of choice and no-choice experiments. The preference for the oviposition was evaluated by observations, and the host susceptibility was investigated by incubating the above-tested fruits separately until the pupation and the emergence of adults. The gravid females of B. dorsalis showed a significantly different host preference and susceptibility among the four mango varieties tested. Among four mango varieties, “Kc” showed a significantly high oviposition preference and pupae and adult emergence of B. dorsalis. Study findings are useful to design control measures for B. dorsalis to prevent their damage to the commercial mango varieties in Sri Lanka.Interpretation & conclusion: These findings may help predict the temporal variation of the potential vector population with studied ecological parameters and contribute to a successful vector management strategy with thorough knowledge of the behavioral pattern of P. argentipes.