Anastrepha Species (Diptera: Tephritidae): Patterns of Spatial Distribution, Abundance, and Relationship with Weather in Three Environments of Midwestern Brazil

Abstract

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are a major problem in the global production of fruits and vegetables. Thus, information about spatial distribution and population dynamics of pest species is important for horticulture. The objectives of this study were to evaluate quantitatively the occurrence of Anastrepha Schiner species captured in McPhail traps throughout the year in a native forest, a backyard orchard, and a commercial orchard; to describe the spatial distribution type of Anastrepha species in those environments; and to investigate the relationship between Anastrepha species abundance and weather. Anastrepha species adults were sampled weekly, but the data were pooled by mo before analysis of all environments, and for each environment separately. We found a relationship between abundance of Anastrepha species and the seasons. In general, winter was the season with greatest abundance and species richness. Among the environments, we found greatest abundance and species richness in the backyard orchard, followed by the native forest, and the commercial orchard. In the latter environment, we found a higher abundance of Anastrepha species in summer, and greater species richness in the spring. Anastrepha species adults showed an aggregated spatial distribution. Relative humidity and wind speed influenced the number of Anastrepha species caught in the traps.