LEVANTAMENTO E FLUTUAÇÃO POPULACIONAL DE MOSCASDAS- FRUTAS (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) EM GOIABA Psidium guajava L., NO MUNICÍPIO DE RUSSAS (CE)

Abstract

This study aimed at knowing the diversity of fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) and discussing the influence of abiotic factors on the population fluctuation of these species on a guava (Psidium guajava L.) orchard in Russas, CE. Two McPhail traps baited with protein hydrolisate at 5% were set up on the orchard. The traps were serviced weekly and all the insects captured were transported to the laboratory where the fruit flies were separated from other insects, counted and preserved in alcohol (70%). The survey was carried out from January to December 2003. Tephritids were identified at the Laboratório de Moscas-das-Frutas at UFERSA, in Mossoró (RN). Population fluctuation was calculated based on the number of flies/trap/day, considering the total number of males and females of Anastrepha and Ceratitis. Climate data used in this study were obtained from CENTEC weather station. The correlation between population fluctuation and abiotic factors was analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient at the 5% level. A total of 1,164 fruit flies belonging to four species were captured - Anastrepha zenildae Zucchi (77.45%), A. sororcula Zucchi (18.69%), A. obliqua (Macquart) (0.15%) and Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (3.71%). Among the abiotic factors, temperature and relative humidity were the ones that most indirectly influenced the population fluctuation of fruit flies. However, the availability of host fruits is the preponderant factor that determines the populational peaks of fruit fly species throughout the year on this guava orchard in Russas (CE).