((Brief report) Investigation on Population Flactuations of Dacus ciliatus on the Fall Cucumber in Mollasani Region

Population dynamics of cucurbit fly، Dacus ciliatus on fall cucumber was studied in Mollasani region in Khuzestan province for two years (2009 and 2010). Sampling was carried out weekly from a 2000 square meter of cucumber field. Every week 10 cucumber fruits were collected randomly and placed in a plastic container. Five centimeter of soft soil was placed in the bottom of container. The opening of the container was covered by a fine mesh. The number and sex ratio of emerged flies were determined. In the first year the activity of flies started in October and continued until the end of December. Peak of population was occurred in the middle of November (302 flies in 10 cucumber fruits). In the second year the activity of D. ciliatus started in October and continued until December too. Peak of population in 2010 was occurred in the middle of November (407 flies in 10 cucumber fruits). In both years both sexes were abundant in the field and sex ratio (% female) was about %50. The information collected in this study could be applied in management of this pest.