Evaluation of the chemosterilant effect of acorus calamus l.extracts on melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coq.

Abstract

Laboratory studies on the chemosterilant effect of A. calamus L. extracts on Bactrocera. cucurbitae COQ. revealed remarkable changes in the size and morphology of the reproductive organs of adult flies. The extracts were administered to the flies through food at dosages of 0.1 to 0.01% from the day of emergence. No signs of mating or courtship were seen in treated flies even up to the 25th day after the emergence, after which the flies were found to die. After the normal pre-oviposition period, the treated flies were dissected. Considerable reduction in size of the reproductive organs was noticed in the treated flies as compared to the normal ones. Due to a combined effect of mating inhibition, reproductive suppression and low survival, fecundity realization was not possible.