Annual population fluctuations of Mediterranean fruit fly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey; Problem of non-marketing fruit

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is the most dangerous pest on many fruits in Turkey. An analysis of adult population fluctuation of Medfly in eleven different orchards was performed in the Mediterranean region of Turkey between 2013 and 2015. The aim was to analyze the population dynamics of Medfly and its relationships with climatic factors. The population fluctuation was monitored Medfly in eleven various orchards with McPhail traps baited with trimedlure. In two harvest seasons were examined the Medfly according to population size, host availability, and season of the year. According to the result, there were significant differences in the number of adults caught both in the various orchards and on monthly. The highest densities of the C. capitata were recorded between June and July, this period associated with unharvested grapefruit. The population density of the C. capitata was related to the presence of ripe grapefruit as a primary host. The last adults captured, in 2013/2014 were counted in February but in 2014/2015 were in January. This situation is related to temperature. The population density of C. capitata may be affected by hosts, climatic variation, other host fruit species in the vicinity, and especially unharvested fruit. This study can have practical inferences for a plan of particular control strategies, monitoring, and infestation prevention based on different periods of pest throughout the year.