Population Dynamics, Habitat Preference, and Seasonal Distribution Patterns of Oriental Fruit Fly and Melon Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in an Agricultural Area

Abstract

Oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, and melon fly, Dacus cucurbiatae Coquillett, population dynamics from 1987 to 1989 were determined from fruit collections and male trap captures in an agricultural area. The major oriental fruit fly hosts were wild strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine, and common guava, Psidium guajava L., outside the crop area; the major melon fly hosts were cultivated truck crops on farms. Abundance of oriental fruit fly and melon fly throughout five major habitats (upland guava shrub, lowland guava shrub, java plum forest, ironwood forest, and farms) was associated with oriental fruit fly abundance in guava areas and melon fly abundance on farms, respectively. During periods of peak guava abundance, numbers of oriental fruit fly increased on farms; during periods of peak crop production, melon fly increased in habitats surrounding farms. These findings are discussed with respect to placement of fruit fly traps for population monitoring and development of pest management strategies.