Behaviour of Anastrepha ludens, A. obliqua and A. serpentina (Diptera: Tephritidae) on a wild mango tree (Mangifera indica) harbouring three McPhail traps.
Aluja M., Cabrera M., Guillen J., Celedonio H., Ayora F.
Author Affiliation: Vicente Garcia Torres 93, Coyoacan, 04000 Mexico DF, Mexico City, Mexico.
Insect Science and its Application 10 : 309-318
Abstract : The behaviour of 3 species of Anastrepha (A. ludens, A. obliqua and A. serpentina) that were attracted to protein hydrolysate in glass McPhail traps hung on an 8 m tall wild mango tree at 3 different heights (3, 5 and 7 m) was studied in Mexico. Of 665 flies that landed on the exterior of the trap, only 31% were caught. Females represented 60.2% of all flies trapped. The intermediate trap caught the most flies (57.5%). A great deal of feeding activity (on trap, leaves, branches and fruit) was observed, including regurgitation and reingestion of liquid food droplets. When not on the trap surface, flies were more commonly seen on leaves than on branches and fruits. Inter- and intraspecific encounters between all Anastrepha species and both sexes were commonly recorded. Males were observed calling alone or in leks. All leks were formed on leaves and on 2 occasions included individuals of 2 species. The observations suggested that the McPhail traps attracted different Anastrepha species with varying degrees of intensity.