›› 2014, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (9): 1037-1044.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Adult oviposition and larval feeding preference for different citrus varieties in Bactrocera minax (Diptera: Tephritidae)

LIU Lu, ZHOU Qiong*, SONG Ao-Qun, YOU Ke-Xi   

  1. (College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan)
  • Online:2014-09-20 Published:2014-09-20

Abstract: 【Aim】 This study aims to understand the preference of Bactrocera minax for several citrus varieties. 【Methods】 We investigated the diseased citrus ratio of different citrus varieties in citrus orchards under natural conditions by five-point sampling method, counted the numbers of egg-laying marks and eggs laid on the basal hemisphere and distal hemisphere of citrus fruit, and examined the larval feeding preference of B. minax to host odorants of citrus petals by the selection tests in the laboratory. 【Results】 The results showed that the rate of oviposition sites on citrus fruits facing the forest harborage was significantly higher than that at any other directions in citrus orchards, and the oviposition preference of B. minax found was Citrus sinensis cv. Navel and C. aurantium>C. sinensis cv. Bingtang, Amakusa, and C. reticulata cv. Satsuma>C. maxima cv. Shatian>C. reticulata cv. Ponkan. The numbers of egg-laying marks and eggs laid on oranges (C. sinensis cv. Navel, C. aurantium and C. sinensis cv. Bingtang) were higher than those on tangerines (Amakusa, C. reticulata cv. Satsuma, C. reticulata cv. Ponkan) and C. maxima cv. Shatian (P<0.05). The number of egg-laying marks on the distal hemisphere of citrus fruit was significantly than that on the basal hemisphere (P<0.05)(except C. reticulata cv. Satsuma). Larval feeding preference was closely correlated with adult oviposition preference. 【Conclusion】 Our results suggest that oviposition preference of B. minax is related to larval feeding preferences.

Key words: Bactrocera minax, citrus varieties, oviposition preference, egg-laying mark, feeding preference, olfactory response