Effects of temperature on the fecundity and longevity of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillet) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on artificial diet

Abstract

The melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is an important polyphagous pest that damages to various agricultural crops, whose distribution has become global as a result of human activity. In this study, we investigated the fecundity, pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, and the longevity of adult Z. cucurbitae at various constant temperatures ranging from 15 to 35.2 & DEG;C. One newly emerged one virgin female and two males of Z. cucurbitae were used, and the longevity of both sexes and the fecundity of the females were examined daily. The longevity of female Z. cucurbitae ranged from 183.8 days at 15.0 & DEG;C to 30.8 days at 35.2 & DEG;C, and the maximum fecundity per female was 1204 eggs at 24.5 & DEG;C. The lower development threshold (LDT) and thermal constant (K) of females were estimated as 14.8 & DEG;C and 781.13 degree-days, respectively. Female reproduction was modeled using a two-phase oviposition model. Oviposition was estimated using females in the oviposition phase, which had a complete pre-oviposition phase. The oviposition model consisted of two reproductive components (total fecundity and age-specific cumulative oviposition rate during oviposition) and a survival component (age-specific survival rate). The daily egg production of Z. cucurbitae was estimated in relation to adult age and temperature.