Tuesday, December 12, 2006
D0299

Populations of Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) in relation to fruiting phenology of its sylvatic host (Casimiroa greggi)

Donald B Thomas, dthomas@weslaco.ars.usda.gov, USDA-ARS, Subtropical Agriculture Research Center, 2413 E Hwy 83, Weslaco, TX

Flowering, fruiting and fruit fall in groves of yellow chapote was tracked at two locations at different elevations over two years in Mexico. Fruit on and off the trees were sampled for infesting larvae. Simultaneously, traps set in the trees surveyed the adult mexfly population. All females were dissected for reproductive status. Peaks in adult population levels preceded and followed the peak in chapote fruit production.


Species 1: Diptera Tephritidae Anastrepha ludens (Mexican fruit fly)