The Determination of Population Development and Infestation Rate of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata (Wied)) in Peach Orchards in Meram (Konya) Province

Abstract

This study was carried out in 2017 and 2018 in Meram district (Konya) in order to determine the population development and infestation rate of the Mediterranean fruit fly (MFF) ( Ceratitis capitata (Wied)) (Dip.: Tephritidae) in the peach orchards. In the study, traps called Decis Trap were used to catch the adults of the MFF. As a result of the study, adult population development determined different in two years, two population peaks occurred in 2017 and four times in 2018. The pest may give two to four generation in Meram district according to climatic conditions and years. The first adults of the MFF appeared in 2017 in the third week of August and were active for four months, and appeared in 2018 in the third week of July and were determined to be active in the nature for about five months. In addition to the results of the study conducted in the years 2017-2018, the infestation rates were 5% and 2% in Ekmekkoçu, 3% and 2% in Hasanköy, 96% and 96% in Hatıp, 94% and 100% in Karahüyük, 0% and 2% in Yenibahçe location, respectively. Farmers are advised to use Decis Trap at the beginning of July and to carry out other maintenance work in orchards, especially the destruction of the fruit falling on the ground.