Native and introduced host plants of Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Northwestern Argentina.
Ovruski S., Schliserman P., Aluja M.
Author Affiliation: Instituto Superior de Entomología-FCNeIML-UNT, CONICET, Fundación Miguel Lillo-CIRPON, Miguel Lillo 251, (T4000JFE) San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
Journal of Economic Entomology 96 : 1108-1118
Abstract : Wild or commercially grown, native and exotic fruit were collected in 30 localities in the Tucumán province (northwestern Argentina) from January 1990 to December 1995 to determine their status as hosts of Anastrepha fraterculus and/or Ceratitis capitata, the only two fruit fly species of economic and quarantine importance in Argentina. A total of 84?094 fruit (3466.1 kg) representing 33 species (7 native and 26 exotic) in 15 plant families were sampled. We determined the following 17 host plant associations: Annona cherimola (Annonaceae), Citrus paradisi (Rutaceae), Diospyros kaki (Ebenaceae), Eugenia uniflora, Psidium guajava, Myrcianthes pungens (Myrtaceae), Ficus carica (Moraceae), Juglans australis (Juglandaceae), Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae), Eriobotrya japonica, Prunus armeniaca, P. domestica, and P. persica (Rosaceae) were infested by both Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata. Citrus aurantium, Citrus reticulata, Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae), and Passiflora caerulea (Passifloraceae) were only infested by Ceratitis capitata. Out of a total of 99?627 adults that emerged from pupae, 69?180 (~69.5%) were Anastrepha fraterculus, 30?138 (~30.2%) were Ceratitis capitata, and 309 (~0.3%) were an unidentified Anastrepha species. Anastrepha fraterculus predominated in native plant species while Ceratitis capitata did so in introduced species. Infestation rates (number of larvae/kg of fruit) varied sharply from year to year and between host plant species (overall there was a significant negative correlation between fruit size and infestation level). We provide information on fruiting phenology of all the reported hosts and discuss our findings in the light of their practical (e.g., management of Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata in citrus groves) implications.