Effects of weather parameters on Guava fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata) population at IARI, New Delhi

Abstract

Relationship of each of the weather parameters viz., maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), rainfall (RF), morning relative humidity (RH), evening relative humidity (RH 2,) and bright sunshine hours (BSS) of six years (2007-2012) at IARI (New Delhi) was individually explored with peaks of guava fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata MAT (Male Annihilation Technique) trap catches. Peaks of fruit fly trap catches exhibited significant correlation with Tmax, RH1, RH2, RF and BSS of April 1st week and Tmin of March 3rd week. Weather-based prediction model for guava fruit fly was developed by regressing peaks of fruit fly trap catches on mean values of different weather parameters of aforesaid weeks (R2=0.80). Of the weather parameters, only Tmax, Tmin, RH2 and BSS were found to be relevant through stepwise regression.