A SEMI-SYNTHETIC DIET FOR MASS REARING FIVE SPECIES OF GENUS BACTROCERA (INSECTA: DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) OF AGRICULTURAL AND QUARANTINE SIGNIFICANCE.

摘要

The present invention relates to semi-synthetic diet developed as feed for rearing maggots of five species of Bactrocera viz., Oriental fruit fly, B. dorsalis Hendel; Peach fruit fly, B, zonata Saunders; Guava fruit fly, B. correcta Bezzi; Melon fruit fly, B. cucurbitae Coq and B. tau Walker, of agricultural and quarantine significance. This invention discloses the use of the semisynthetic diet directly as egg laying receptacle and rearing media for larvae followed by simplest way of pupa collection. The diet is based on seasonal vegetables (15-18 parts) available round the year Bitter gourd (Mordica charantia)! cucumber (Cucumis sativus)! Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) and gelled by Agar (1-1.5 parts) to get the consistency of feed, like a natural fruit pulp suitable for larval rearing. It is a good alternative in terms of nutritional needs of fruit flies as of natural hosts. Rearing of maggot on the invented diet is hygienic as there was no foul odor due to feeding of maggots or fermentation or microbial infestation as of natural host. Moreover, the biological traits and adult production are at par or better to the natural hosts. Above all the diet is economical, simple to prepare, labor efficient for sustainable large scale production of fruit flies. So far no such other common semi-synthetic diet and rearing method is available in the market for mass production of fruit flies of economic importance in India. This invention expects a bright future both for researchers and concerned commercial entrepreneurs.