Abstract The fruit flies Bactrocera tau (Walker) and B. cucurbitae (Coquillett) are economically important invasive pests on numerous vegetable and fruit species in China. Due to the instability of the early spring climate, temperatures often deviate far below the normal temperature for short periods of time. Such a sudden short-term low temperature may impact the reproduction and development of the two fruit fly species. In this study, the effects of low temperatures (8, 6, 4, 2, 0, –2, and –4°C) on the development and reproduction of these two closely related fruit fly species were studied under laboratory condition. The results showed that their survival rates decreased gradually with corresponding decreases in the tested temperatures. On the other hand, their pre-oviposition periods and their adult female to male sex ratios increased, while the average number of eggs per female of each species and longevity of male adult of B. cucurbitae initially increased and later decreased after exposure to the low-temperature treatments. Overall, low temperatures promoted reproduction in B. cucurbitae and B. tau at temperatures ranging from 24°C to as low as 8°C. Development and reproduction of the two species were negatively affected when temperatures were between 8 to –4°C. The cold resistance of each developmental stage was higher in B. tau than in corresponding stages of B. cucurbitae.

中文翻译：

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短期低温对 Tau 实蝇（双翅目：实蝇科）和葫芦科实蝇生长、发育和繁殖的影响

摘要 果蝇 Bactrocera tau (Walker) 和 B. cucurbitae (Coquillett) 是我国众多蔬菜和水果的重要经济入侵害虫。由于早春气候的不稳定性，气温往往在短时间内远低于常温。如此突然的短期低温可能会影响两种果蝇的繁殖和发育。本研究在实验室条件下研究了低温（8、6、4、2、0、–2 和–4°C）对这两种密切相关的果蝇物种发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明，它们的存活率随着测试温度的相应降低而逐渐降低。另一方面，他们的产卵前期和成年女性与男性的性别比例增加，而在暴露于低温处理后，葫芦科植物每个物种雌性的平均卵数和雄性成虫的寿命先增加后减少。总体而言，在 24°C 至低至 8°C 的温度范围内，低温促进了葫芦科植物和 B. tau 的繁殖。当温度在 8 到 –4°C 之间时，这两个物种的发育和繁殖受到负面影响。B. tau 各发育阶段的抗寒性均高于葫芦科相应时期。tau 在 24°C 至低至 8°C 的温度范围内。当温度在 8 到 –4°C 之间时，这两个物种的发育和繁殖受到负面影响。B. tau 各发育阶段的抗寒性均高于葫芦科相应时期。tau 在 24°C 至低至 8°C 的温度范围内。当温度在 8 到 –4°C 之间时，这两个物种的发育和繁殖受到负面影响。B. tau 各发育阶段的抗寒性均高于葫芦科相应时期。