REARING OF BACTROCERA-MELANOTUS AND BACTROCERA-XANTHODES (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) FOR POSTHARVEST DISINFESTATION RESEARCH

A rearing technique was developed for two species of fruit fly, Bactro cera melanotus (Coquillett) and B. xanthodes (Broun), and key life-cyc le parameters were determined. The technique included developing a nov el larval diet with no bulking agent. The mean life-cycle parameters f or B. melanotus and B. xanthodes, respectively, at 26 +/- 1 degrees C were: egg hatch, 40 h and 44 h; egg to pupa, 10 days for both species; preoviposition period, 21 days and 12 days; egg to egg, 44 days and 3 5 days. Colonies were maintained in the laboratory for over 20 consecu tive generations. Results are discussed in relation to production of e ggs and various larval instars for postharvest disinfestation research .