Abstract
Morphological characteristics of melon fly [Myiopardalis pardalina (Bigot, 1891) (Diptera: Tephritidae)]
Melon fly [Myiopardalis pardalina (Bigot, 1891) (Diptera: Tephritidae)] is the most important pest of melon. In this study, the measurements of eggs, larva, pupa and adult of melon fly have been taken and the adults have been defined in terms of morphological features. The average wingspan and the body length were found to be 5.08±0.04 mm and 6.67±0.06 mm in females and 4.18±0.03 mm and 5.68±0.06 mm in males, respectively. The size of egg, mature larva and pupa of this pest were determined to be 1.25±0.02 mm, 9.54±0.12 mm and 6.24±0.05 mm, respectively. In addition, detailed morphological features of them have been identified. This study was carried out in 2009-2010 in Ankara melon fields as well as laboratory condition.
Keywords
Melon fly, Myiopardalis pardalina, morphology