'Fruit flies' (Dipt.: Tephritidae) on mangos in Chulucanas, Piura.
Herrera A. J. M., Vinas V. L. E.
Author Affiliation: Departamento de Sanidad Vegetal, Universidad Nacional Tecnica de Piura, Peru.
Revista Peruana de Entomologia 20 : 107-114
Abstract : The results are presented of detailed studies in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru, on the fruit-flies attacking mango there. Populations were sampled weekly by means of McPhail traps. Ten of the 12 species taken were in the genus Anastrepha, A. fraterculus (Wied.) being the most important, followed by A. distincta Greene. The next most abundant species was Ceratitis capitata (Wied.). All 3 species were abundant, density being positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity. Development was continuous throughout the year because fruits other than mango were available in all months. Populations tended to be largest in spring (September-November), reach a peak in summer (January-February) and decrease in March. Maximum catches of the 3 species were 28.5, 11 and 9 adults/trap in a single week, respectively. Mango fruits ripen in about 24 weeks, attaining a sugar content of 20.8%. Fruit-fly damage was found to begin on fruits 14 weeks after the start of flowering (average length 68mm and 8% sugar content), and control measures against A. fraterculus must begin slightly before that time, when the trap catches average 2 adults/trap in a week. A. teli Stone is recorded for the first time from Peru, and Pseudodacus daciformis (Bez.) for the first time from Piura.