author(s)
Rashmi MA, Abraham Verghese, Shivashankar S, Chakravarthy AK, Sumathi M and Subhash Kandakoor

abstract
The present study was undertaken to determine the defensive role played by tannins present in mango peel in the prevention of B. dorsalis infestation. The results showed significant differences in the tannin contents, i.e. lower tannin levels between 8.17 and 9.93 mg/g dry weight in peels of susceptible varieties (Totapuri, Alphonso and Banganapalli), 10.67 and 11.71 mg/g in moderately resistant varieties (Dasheri and Mylepellian), whereas in resistant varieties (Langra, EC-95862) it was higher – between 13.08 and 13.66 mg/g. At 50% maturity all the varieties had same tannin levels; however, as maturity progressed (50-100%) the levels of tannin reduced in all except for the resistant varieties. The presence of high tannin content in mango peel at critical stages of infestation played an important role in deterring or preventing fruit fly damage in mango. The results obtained will be useful in host plant resistance and chemical ecology studies.