## 4 Discussion  
In field conditions, there were variations in the resistance and susceptibility of chili varieties to oriental fruit fly infestation. The obtained fitness index values were higher than those reported by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [18] for _H. armigera_ in corn (0.2), cotton, and cowpea (0.6), as well as in artificial media (1.2). The fitness index describes the ability of fruit flies to complete one or more phases of their life cycle inside chili fruits. The results of this research indicate that the fitness index of the oriental fruit fly is highly determined by the chili variety. Based on the resistance characteristics, our findings also corroborate previous studies stating that the variety impacts the resistance of chili to fruit fly infestation. In corn, resistant and susceptible varieties have been used as components of a push-pull strategy in pest control [19]. Accordingly, the susceptible chili varieties identified in this study have a pull characteristic capable of attracting fruit flies for oviposition. As a consequence, breeding activities aimed at reducing the pull characteristic in susceptible varieties should be able to minimize oviposition incidence. In comparison to resistant chili varieties, susceptible chili varieties featured larger, wider, and heavier fruit, thicker flesh, and a wider fruit base. The width and weight of the fruits, as well as the thickness of the fruit flesh, are characteristics that determine the size of bigger or smaller chili fruit. Meanwhile, the fruit shape at pedicel attachment is a qualitative characteristic following the fruit surface area. A chili fruit with a narrow surface area may have a pointed base shape, while a chili fruit with a wider surface area may have a rounded base shape. The fruit size is correlated with the resistance level since female fruit flies mostly attack host plants with large fruits. Large fruit size can ensure the survival of oriental fruit fly larvae. According to [PERSON] and [PERSON] [20], oriental fruit fly image developed from larvae in larger fruit survive longer than larvae developed in small fruits. Similar findings have also been reported, stating that there is a correlation between fruit size and fruit fly attack levels of several commodities, such as in mangos, tomatoes, and oranges [21; 22; 23]. The larger the fruits, the greater the likelihood that they will serve as a host for insect pests such as fruit fly species. Several studies have shown an association between the volatile compounds of host plants and insect activity. Female insects employ the volatile compounds emitted by host plants to mark a place for oviposition and to choose male fruit flies [24; 25; 26]. The volatile compounds released by host plants can be detected by insects during the period of searching and selecting host plant locations [27; 28]. Chili releases various kinds of volatile compounds [5; 29; 30]. The composition of volatile compounds is assumed to be correlated with the resistance level of chili to herbivore infestation such as fruit flies. The results of this study corroborated earlier findings that the volatile compounds generated by host plants are directly correlated with the process of host searching by oriental fruit flies [10; 14; 19; 25; 31; 32; 33]. Susceptible chili varieties released volatile compounds, including \(\beta\)-cis-ocimene, which acted as an attractant for oriental fruit flies seeking oviposition, consequently indicating high oviposition incidence. Due to the high level of fruit fly mobility, volatile compounds are detected by their antenna, and they use this information to determine the existence of food sources and locations for ovipogiting their eggs [34]. Therefore, lowering the concentration of this dominant compound in susceptible chili varieties will decrease the level of fruit damage caused by oriental fruit fly infestation.