Population fluctuation and daily flight activity of mediterranean fruit fly in coffee trees of 'mundo novo' variety

Abstract

The population fluctuation of Mediterranean fruit fly in 'Mundo Novo' coffee trees and their correlation with macroclimatic meteorological variables were studied in different spacings (4 x 2, 3 x 2, 3 x 3 and 2 x 1 m), during two seasons, at IAC Experiment Stations in Campinas and Pindorama, State of São Paulo, Brazil. It could be observed that in Campinas, there were no differences of population levels of Ceratitis capitata (Wied., 1824) (Dip., Tephritidae), in different spacings, and in all the conditions more females than males were collected. The macroclimatic meteorological variables influence was greater in the small spacing (2 mx 1 m), when the meteorological data were considered altogether (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and wind). In Pindorama (lopped plants), those meteorological variables did not have any influence on the fruit flies populations. The daily flight activity of C. capitata by hourly collect, and their association with the microclimatic meteorological variables (temperature and relative humidity) were studied, too. The daily flight activity of C. capitata appeared negatively correlated with relative humidity and positively correlated with temperature. The populations were greater in 2 m x 1 m spacing. The daily flight activity of fruit flies was always greater between 12:00 and 16:00 P.M., when the temperature was above 26 °C.