Seasonal and annual trends in field populations of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in Mediterranean citrus groves: comparison of two geographic areas in eastern Spain

Abstract

Seasonal and annual trends in Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations were analyzed to determine the factors that influence population fluctuations in the field. Adult flies were monitored along 2003-07 in two citrus areas in eastern Spain with similar climate, Valencia and Tarragona. Adults were present throughout the study period, even in winter. The initial annual population increase was related to previous winter and spring temperatures. Captures started to increase in April-May and usually reached a peak in July. This peak corresponded to the maximum capture period in Valencia, but not in Tarragona, where there was usually a second peak in autumn, with capture levels similar to the first peak. Gravid females were found throughout the year, even in overwintering populations of medfly. The availability of other host fruit species in the vicinity of the citrus groves may explain the differences in annual abundance and distribution of captures between the two areas studied.

Fluctuación poblacional de Anastrepha ludens en la región de Santa Engracia, Tamaulipas, México

“…Esto indica una variabilidad entre las observaciones y que el MTDp no fue homogéneo en la región. Las diferencias de capturas entre trampas en esta región puede estar ocasionado por diversos factores a nivel local como el exposición de la trampa directo al sol o a vientos, condiciones climáticas locales, áreas cercanas con infestaciones de fruta (Martínez-Ferrer et al, 2010), y a las aspersiones de cebo tóxico por parte del productor y del PNCMF.…”

“…This indicates variability between observations and that MTDp was not homogeneous in the region. The differences in capture between traps in this region may be caused by multiple local factors as direct exposure of the trap to sun or wind, local weather conditions, nearby areas with fruit infestations (Martínez-Ferrer et al, 2010) and to toxic bait sprays by the producer and PNCMF.…”

Field efficacy of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) mass trapping technique on clementine groves in Spain

“…According to the dynamics of C. capitata in this citrus‐producing area, low temperatures in November cause dramatic population decreases from high populations in September and October (Martínez‐Ferrer et al. 2006, 2007; Martínez‐Ferrer et al. 2010).…”

“…Adult medflies are present almost all year round in Spanish citrus groves (Martínez‐Ferrer et al. 2006; Martínez‐Ferrer et al. 2010), even when no susceptible citrus fruits are available to attack.…”

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata as Biological Control agent of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata: biotic and abiotic factors affecting its implementation in citrus crops of the Mediterranean basin

“…In some areas, the adult population peaks at the end of spring or at the beginning of summer, as observed in Crete (Michelakis 1992), whereas in other areas populations grow throughout the summer and reach maximum levels in fall, as in Sardinia and Sicily (Italy) (Del Río 1986;Benfatto et al 1987;Ortu et al 2005). Several factors are considered directly or indirectly responsible for these variations in C. capitata populations: climate (temperature and rainfall mainly), abundance and temporal sequence of suitable host fruits throughout the year, and crop sanitation practices (Aluja 1993;Harris et al 1993;Katsoyannos et al 1998;Pierre 2007;Martínez-Ferrer et al 2010;Thomas et al 2014). …”