Abstract

The Peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) is known as a key pest of fruits in Egypt. The effect of temperature on the development and survival of the Peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) from egg to adult was studied to understand the geographical pattern of occurrence of these fruit fly[N1] . Studding carried out in laboratory under four different constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Results showed that time required for development were decreased as the temperature increased from 15 to 30°C. Differences between the four tested temperatures in incubation periods were significant. Developmental time of the eggs significantly decreased over the range of 15 to 25°C but not between 25 and 30°C, Similarly, developmental time for the larva and pupa significantly decreased with increasing temperature from 15 to 30°C. The lower threshold of development (t_o) for the larval and pupae stages was 13 and 10.9°C respectively. The highest pupation rate of B. zonata was 87±.48 percentage at 25^°C, which was considered the optimum and favorable temperature. The results will be good tool for predicting the fly’s population dynamics, which would help develop the fly management strategies.

Key words: Bactrocera zonata, Egypt, fruit fly, immature stages, management strategies.