Biology of ber fruit fly, Carpomyia vesuviana Costa

Biology, incidence and morphometrics of the ber fruit fly Carpomyia vesuviana Costa were studied on Indian jujube Ziziphus mauritiana Lamark. The observations revealed that the female laid its eggs in the cavities made by the ovipositor, just beneath the skin of the fruit. The eggs were small, elongate, spindle shaped and creamy white. The duration of lifestages (in days) were- egg 1.90, maggot 8.75, prepupal 4.43 (hr), pupal 8.40, adult longevity 13.85; with a total lifecycle of 29.95 days. The length, width and wing expanse of female measured up to 4.82, 1.33 and 3.91 mm, respectively; and that of male 4.44, 1.21 and 3.83 mm, respectively. The incidence was maximum in October followed by December, with the least being in January. Correlation coefficients of incidence with weather factors revealed a significant and positive one with maximum RH (0.70) and negative with maximum temperature (-0.54)