Abstract
Seasonal and annual trends in Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations were analyzed to determine the factors that influence population fluctuations in the field. Adult flies were monitored along 2003-07 in two citrus areas in eastern Spain with similar climate, Valencia and Tarragona. Adults were present throughout the study period, even in winter. The initial annual population increase was related to previous winter and spring temperatures. Captures started to increase in April-May and usually reached a peak in July. This peak corresponded to the maximum capture period in Valencia, but not in Tarragona, where there was usually a second peak in autumn, with capture levels similar to the first peak. Gravid females were found throughout the year, even in overwintering populations of medfly. The availability of other host fruit species in the vicinity of the citrus groves may explain the differences in annual abundance and distribution of captures between the two areas studied.
Highlights
The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most serious pests affecting cultivated plants in the world
Ceratitis capitata is a species of Afrotropical origin which has adapted to the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean basin, M
The Tarragona area was located in the southern part of Tarragona province, and the Valencia area was in the center of Valencia province
Summary
The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most serious pests affecting cultivated plants in the world. The date of this first population peak occurred at a similar time in both trimedlure and Tripack traps (F = 0.43; df = 1, 10; P = 0.5272) and in the Tarragona and Valencia areas (F = 0.40; df = 1, 10; P = 0.5416).
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