Mango production and fruit fly populations and damage in backyards in Mauritius.
Manrakhan A., Price N. S.
Author Affiliation: Indian Ocean Regional Fruit Fly Programme, Entomology Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources, Réduit, Mauritius.
: 35-39
Abstract : A study of the seasonal variation in mango production, fruit fly populations and fruit fly damage for the mango season 1998/99 was carried out in the Pamplemousses and Black River Districts. These districts represent areas under the two main fruit fly control regimes in Mauritius, the Male Annihilation Technique and Bait Application Technique. Ripe mango production peaked three months after the start of fruit set. Bactrocera zonata was the only species reared out of damaged mangoes. Fruit availability and temperature had significant effects on B. zonata populations in Pamplemousses. Fruit infestation levels were lower in Black River District than in Pamplemousses although the differences were not statistically significant. However, male B. zonata captures in Pamplemousses (under MAT) were found to be significantly lower than captures in Black River (under BAT). The implications of these findings are discussed.