Enhancement of Mating Performance of Sterile Males of Melon Fly,<i>Zeugodacus cucurbitae</i> (Coquillett) Through Methoprene and Cue Lure

Abstract

The male pupae of Melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae were irradiated at 30 Gy of gamma radiation using Cobalt-60 source. Freshly emerged sterile males (30 Gy) were exposed to different regimes of methoprene and yeast hydrolysate as protein source. Sterile males of 10, 12 and 14 days old were exposed to different regimes of cue lure and yeast hydrolysate. Mating parameters such as lek initiation, lek participation, male calling, mating success and female acceptance index (FAI) were recorded. Sterile males of exposed to methoprene and fed with yeast hydrolysate (M+P+) become sexually matured at three days earlier when compare to protein deprived males (M+P-). High percentage of M+P+ males were engaged in lekking and calling behavior. Sterile males treated with methoprene and fed on protein diet had high percentage of matings with female acceptance index (FAI) of 0.8. Sterile males fed on yeast hydrolysate up to 12-days of age and then accessed to cue lure (P+CL+) had greater mating propensity with frequent mating (43.0%) and FAI of 0.84.