Egg Batch Size of the Carambola Fruit Fly, Bactrocera Sp (Malaysian A) (Diptera Tephritidae)

Abstract

The mean egg batch size for Bactrocera Malaysian A under[zeld and laboratory conditions was respectively 4.67 ± 0.40 (range 1 - 25) and 4.18± 0.26 (range 1-24). More single egg batches were observed in the field (22.0% of the total batches examined) compared to 7.5% in the laboratory. In both cases the mode was at 2 eggs, with batch size of 8 or more eggs fewer in number. It is suggested that such an uneven egg distribution would increase egg survival from parasitism, if the optimal foraging models apply and the egg parasite oviposits only in high egg batches.