Population of melon fruitfly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett on muskmelon, Cucumis melo L. and Indian squash (Tinda), Citrullus vulgaris L.

The population of melon fruitfly was counted with the help of sex-lure traps. For oviposition preference; small, medium and lame size fruits of muskmelon and Indian squash were kept in cage under laboratory conditions. Ten females and same number of males were release in the cage. To record the biology of melon fruitfly, a stock of cucurbit fruits was established under ambient temperature (30.32+2.92 degree centigrade) of laboratory. The results of field experiments indicate that the activities of melon fruitfly population were higher on muskmelon than Indian squash creepers. However, three peaks in population were recorded on muskmelon during 1st and 3rd week of April and 1st week of May respectively. On Indian squash creepers two peaks were observed during 1st week and 3rd week of April. The melon fruitfly preferred small size fruits as compared to medium and lame size fruits of muskmelon as well as Indian squash. Results on biology indicate the average pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition period was 11.0 plus-minus 0.62 .0, 19.29 plus- minus 1.19 and 10.66 plus-minus 0.82 days respectively. The eggs were laid singly, or in clusters inside tire fruit. The average incubation period lasts for 2.29 days. The average larval period lasts for 8.9 days The average pupal period lasts for 9.94 days pupation takes place inside the soil. Average adult female lived for 40.86 days and adult male lived for 37.86 days. The total life spent in case of female was 62.03 3 days and 59.03 days in case of male. It is concluded from the present studies that melon fruitfly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq is an important pest of muskmelon and Indian squash creepers. However, population of the pest is higher on muskmelon than Indian squash. Population of fly fluctuates during the cropping season. Biological studies show that life span of the pest is about 2 months. Larval stage is the dangerous stage, but females render the quality of fruits during oviposition. Adult female of pest prefers small size fruits of both crops for egg laying, consequently, it is food preference of pest.