Effect of weather parameters on population dynamics of Oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel.
Bagle B. G., Prasad V. G.
Author Affiliation: Division of Entomology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-560080, Karnataka, India.
Journal of Entomological Research 7 : 95-98
Abstract : The population dynamics of Dacus dorsalis Hend. were studied in mango orchards in Karnataka, India, from July 1975 to December 1978 by weekly counts of males caught in traps with 100 ml of an emulsion containing 0.1% methyl eugenol and 0.25% malathion. The population was greatest during March, April, May and June with average monthly catches per trap of 1268, 270, 416 and 487 flies, respectively. The lowest catches were made in January, August and December, with average monthly catches per trap of 42, 71 and 72 flies, respectively. Increasing trends in the population were observed in February (average 194 males/trap) and September (172 males/trap). A significant positive correlation was observed between weekly catch and maximum temperature, while negative correlations were observed between weekly catch and relative humidity, rainfall and wind velocity.