EFFECT OF RIPENESS AND LOCATION OF PAPAYA FRUITS ON THE PARASITIZATION RATES OF ORIENTAL FRUIT-FLY AND MELON FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) BY BRACONID (HYMENOPTERA) PARASITOIDS

Parasitization rates of eggs of oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, by Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), and larvae of melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae Coquillett, by Psytallia fletcheri (Silvestri) in mature green to fully ripe papaya fruits on trees and in fully ripe fruits on the ground was studied. Parasitization of oriental fruit fly eggs by B. arisanus was greater in fully ripe fruits than in one-quarter to half-ripe fruits on trees; B. arisanus never parasitized oriental fruit fly eggs in mature green to color-break fruits. No difference was observed in the density of emergent B. arisanus adults from oriental fruit fly pupae recovered from fully ripe fruits on trees and on the ground. Parasitization of melon fly larvae by P. fletcheri was observed in only one fully ripe, fallen fruit. Results in relation to the effect of host plants on the foraging behavior of adult parasitoids and to the biological control of oriental fruit fly and melon fly in an agricultural ecosystem were discussed.