Studies on identification and population dynamics of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Mango and Guava in Baluchestan

Studies on population dynamics and identification of fruit flies were done in mango and guava orchards at Kahir village (80 km to Chabahar) in 2010-2011, using Macphail pheromone traps baited with a mixture of methyl eugenol and protein hydrolyzate, sugar and technical malathion. Five species, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders), Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, Dacus (Leptoxyda) persicus Hendel, Dacus (Didacus) ciliatus Loew and Carpomya vesuviana Costa were caught in the traps. Observations showed that Bactrocera zonata was the dominant species and its population was significantly higher than other species. It appears to be a severe pest of these fruits. Generally, flies were caught in higher numbers in guava orchard than in mango orchard. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The fruit flies were present in the field throughout the year. They were caught in the traps in greater numbers from April to August and their population was at the peak in August in both mango and guava orchards, then population decline continued until February. Effect of climatic factors on the population of fruit flies also showed that temperature and Relative humidity have no effect on population fluctuation. Availability of host fruits was essential factor affecting population fluctuation.