Behavioural Response of Female Melon Fruit Fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) of Bitter Gourd Accessions/Variety

The biochemical factors can provide a source of resistance and chemical stimuli play a vital role in host plant selection by feeding and oviposition. The development of genotypes/varieties resistant to melon fruit fly is an essential component of Integrated Pest Management. Field experiments were conducted during 2018-19 in farmer’s field at Ellamanam village and laboratory studies were conducted at the Department of Plant Protection, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli District. A screening of 12 accessions/varieties (2 resistant, 6 moderately resistant, 3 susceptible, and 1 highly susceptible) was selected for y- tube olfactometer studies to confirm resistance. The behavioral response of fruit fly, Z. cucurbitae, to kairomone compound emitted from bitter gourd leaves and fruits were extracted using different solvents viz., hexane, dichloromethane, and distilled water. The result concluded that hexane and dichloromethane leaf and fruit extract of TCR 393 showed high duration for fruit fly attraction and lower attractancy, followed by Musiri local-1, MC-10, Ucha small, Bikner -2 , Musiri local-2, and CO-1 and if identified kairomone compound may be useful for monitoring and managing of Z. cucurbitae.