Population dynamics of three species of genus Bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) in BARI, Chakwal (Punjab).
Khalid Mahmood, Mishkatullah
Author Affiliation: Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Zoology 39 : 123-126
Abstract : The population dynamics of three important pest species, peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata [Bactrocera correcta], melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae and Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) was conducted all the year round monitoring through male lure-traps during 1998-1999 in Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal. Northern Punjab. The fruit flies showed a low population level from November to February, and increased level from March to August. The population peak appeared in July and August and maximum declined was observed in October depending on the host fruit maturity, temperature and rainfall. Availability of host fruits was another essential factor affecting population fluctuation. Peach, guava, different species of sweet orange, pear, mango and melon were the main host plant. Peach, guava and mango were the preferred hosts, therefore, their fruiting period and productivity exerted essential effects on the fly population fluctuation.