Host preference of the cucurbit fly, Dacus ciliatus loew [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The cucurbit fly Dacus ciliatus Loew_(Diptcra: Tephritidae) is one of the most destructive pests, causes 3n economic loss on different cucurbitaceous fmits. Host preference of the cucurbit fly, D. ciliatus on the cucurbitaceous fmits like white gourd. stripped gourd. zucchini. cucumber and cantaloupe was studied. When these fruits exposed to D. cilia/us separately in non choice test there are significant difference occurred, the most fruit attacked by D. ciliatus was the white gourd. while the lowest fruit attacked was the cucumber. The ability of the cucurbit fly to infest different cucurbits can be arranged as following: white gourd. cantaloupe. zucchini. striped gourd and cucumber. When. the tested fruits exposed together in choice test. the cucurbitaceous fruits can be arranged according to the infestation rate as following: white gourd. stripped gourd. zucchini. cucumber. cantaloupe while the last cucurbit fruit (cantaloupe) showed no stings by D. ciliatus this observation help to protect exporting fruits like cantaloupe by using cheap fruits like gourd as plant traps. Also chemical analysis of different tested cucurbitaceous fruits was evaluated.

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