The host preference experiment of Bactrocera correcta

Key Words： Bactrocera correcta, oviposition, host preference, egg and larva period, pupae weight, pupae mortality

Abstract：           Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) is a serious pest of fruit crops that has appeared in the past few years in Yuanjiang County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Experiments to determine the host preferences of this pest were conducted on a variety of fruit; peaches, apples, pears, oranges and five kinds of mango. The development of B. correcta on these different hosts was also compared. The results show that B. correcta most preferred peaches, followed, in descending order of preference, by pears, mangos, oranges and apples. In the mango experiment, the most preferred variety was Sannian, followed by Tainengyhao, Hubaoya, Yanzhimang and Yingzuimang. There was an obvious difference in the duration of the egg and larval period, which is the period during which fruit are damaged by B.correcta, between different fruit crops. This period was shortest in peaches and mangos. Pupae from pears and apples were obviously lighter than those that developed on other fruits. The relationship between weight and the duration of the egg and larval period was a highly positive in apple crops but significantly negative in pear crops. The results show that B.correctas has clear host preferences and that these affect the development of subsequent generations.