Ridge gourd volatiles are attractive to gravid female melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Globally, cucurbit crops constitute over 5.6% of the total vegetable production (Rai et al., 2008). Several insect pests are known to disrupt the production of cucurbits; among them, the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a key pest causing considerable economic loss (Badii et al., 2015;Ekesi et al., 2011). Losses are mainly through fruit-damage by ovipositing female flies, thus decreasing overall yield (Ordax et al., 2015).Presently, control of melon flies is mainly through use of insecticides (Aktar et al., 2009;Dhillon et al., 2005). Although the use of male para-pheromone traps (Cuelure) has proven to be effective in controlling fly population levels, populations can easily recuperate with few males that escape trapping. Therefore, control of female population is desirable as they are the primary reason for damage and future fly populations. There are few lures that attract females and are limited to phago-attractants such as protein hydrolysate and sugars (Jang & Light, 1996). Inopportunely, these lures lack potency, have restricted field life, are arduous to handle and attract non-target species (Jang & Light, 1996). Presently, there are limited

Electroantennographic and Behavioral Responses of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) to Volatile Compounds of Luffa acutangular L

“…Thus far, compounds emitted by ridge gourd have been studied fragmentedly, six and EAG-active compounds were identi ed as α-pinene, 1-octen-3-ol, pcymene, p-ethyl-benzaldehyde, methyl salicylate and p-cymen-7-ol (Shivaramu et al, 2022). In the current study, twelve types of EAG-active compounds were identi ed, including α-pinene.…”

“…Melon ies seek food sources during the pre-oviposition period and host fruits after mating. Previous studies have reported that ridge gourd volatiles are attractive to gravid female melon ies, however, their effect before mating remains unclear (Shivaramu et al,2022).…”

Volatiles of the trap crop sunflowers: Effects on the behaviour of adult female Conogethes punctiferalis moths

“…Prior to the assays, all glassware was washed with a non‐ionic liquid detergent solution, rinsed with distilled water, rinsed with acetone and baked overnight at 180°C in an oven. Perspex components were washed with non‐ionic liquid detergent, rinsed with distilled water, rinsed with ethanol and allowed to air dry in a clean room (Shivaramu et al, 2022). Two streams of purified air (3 L/min each) were first filtered through activated charcoal and humidified through sterilized distilled water, and then each passed through a cylindrical glass chamber (4 cm top diameter, 15 cm bottom diameter and 35.0 cm height).…”

“…Prior to the assays, all glassware was washed with a non-ionic liquid detergent solution, rinsed with distilled water, rinsed with acetone and baked overnight at 180°C in an oven. Perspex components were washed with non-ionic liquid detergent, rinsed with distilled water, rinsed with ethanol and allowed to air dry in a clean room (Shivaramu et al, 2022). Two streams of In the first set of tests, chambers were paired as follows:…”

Potential biological control agents of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett): A review

“…Despite having a broad host range of over 81 plant species , Z. cucurbitae prefers cucurbit plants such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia L.), muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L.), snap melon ( C. melo L. var. momordica ), snake gourd ( Trichosanthes anguina L.), cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) and ridge gourd ( Luffa acutangula L.) (Dhillon et al, 2005; Shivaramu et al, 2022; Siderhurst & Jang, 2010). The females lay eggs deep inside fruit pulp and maggots feed the fruit internally; as a result, the market value of fruit and yield of the crop reduces.…”