Two-Way Artificial Selection for Developmental Period in Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Two replicate lines of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae , were selected for short or long developmental periods. The lines selected for long developmental periods responded positively to the selection, and selection for short developmental periods showed only a slight response. The responses to selection for long developmental periods were caused mainly by change in the larval period rather than in the pupal period. The comparisons of adult body sizes and survival rate before emergence showed that longer developmental periods were associated with larger adults, but also with lower survival rates during larval and pupal stages. These results are discussed in relation to the sterile insect technique in the melon fly.