ABSTRACT
Anastrepha grandis infests fruits of Cucurbitaceae, and several species of pumpkin constitute its main hosts. Melons are exported by both Brazil and Ecuador to the United States. Little is known about the biology of this pest. This chapter aims to report more detailed studies on the life cycle of A. grandis in the laboratory. The insects used in the experiments were obtained from 2 colonies established from infested pumpkins collected in non-commercial orchards in Sao Roque. Pumpkins were placed, individually, in laboratory cages with approximately 80 pairs of sexually mature flies, F1 Laranjal Paulista, for egg collection. Anastrepha grandis females did not lay any eggs either in artificial oviposition substrate or in pieces of pumpkin. Apparently, both fruit size and integrity are important characteristics for A. grandis females. Egg, larval, and pupal development times are longer for A. grandis than for any other Anastrepha species previously studied or for Ceratitis capitate.
