Study on the population dynamics and spatial distribution of the cucurbit Fly; Dacus ciliatus Loew (Dip., Tephritidae)

The Cucurbits fly Dacus ciliates (Dip.,Tephritidae) is one of the most important pest on cucurbit crops in different parts of the Khuzestan province, Iran. Population dynamics of the pest was studied on three varieties (Spring cucumber, Armenian cucumber and Fall cucurbit) in Safi Abad agricultural and natural resource research and education center of Dezful, in spring and fall, in 2009. The number of adults caught in yellow sticky traps, the eggs and larvae of different ages were counted weekly in infected fruits. The results showed that there were three population peaks of immature stages in all varieties. The highest number of adults in Spring cucumber caught was 6.65 per trap in middle of Jun and in Armenian cucumber was 4.35 in the late of Jun and in Fall cucurbit was 9.5 adult per trap in the Oct. The Iwao, s Index and Taylor, power law were applied to evaluate spatial distribution of the egg and Immature stages. Results showed that Taylor, s power law gave a better fitness result for egg and Immature stages. The results of this research could be apply in integrated pest management of cucurbit fly.