Reproductive Behavior of the Papaya Fruit Fly, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker (Diptera: Tephritidae)

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Abstract
During field observations of papaya fruit flies, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker, on papaya plants, most activity occurred in late afternoon and evening and was concentrated on or near fruit. Males mounted ovipositing or probing females in attempts to mate. Flies in a field cage generally mated when at least 6 days old. Oviposition occurred in all sizes of fruit available, as well as blossom buds, with multiple ovipositions in all fruit under both field and cage conditions. Males puffed the pleural areas of the abdomen during much of the day, possibly releasing pheromone.