First report of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera, Tephritidae) on the white - fleshed dragon fruit Selenicereus undatus (Haworth) D.R. Hunt (Cactaceae) in India

Abstract

The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) has been reported on the white fleshed dragon fruit Selenicereus undatus (Haworth) D.R.Hunt for the first time in India. Symptoms of infestation and the duration of all life stages were observed. Females laid eggs just beneath the mature fruit skin. The tissue surrounding the egg mass turned light yellow. Oviposition punctures were visible on the fruit rind and the feeding of the maggots led to decay of internal contents, foul smell and the fruit turned in to a discolored semi liquid mass. Full grown maggots exited the fruit and entered a period of inactivity before pupation in moist soil. The egg, maggot and pupal stages lasted for 1.6± 0.40, 8.0 ± 0.40 and 8.0 ± 0.31 days, respectively under laboratory conditions. Adult longevity was 9.6 ± 0.5 days in the case of females and 6.4 ± 0.50 days for males.