Population Dynamics of Fruit Flies on Different Varieties of Jujube

Abstract

Studies on the “Population dynamics of fruit fly and their parasitoids on different varieties of Jujube” were conducted in the experimental area of Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam during 2012-13.  Ten methyl eugnol baited traps were deployed for 24 hours in the Ber orchard weekly and afterward these were brought back to laboratory for identification and recording fruit flies. For identification and recording Fruit fly and parasitoids species, infested fruits were collected and kept in lab for investigating fruit flies and their parasitoids species. Emerged flies and parasitoid were recorded and identified. Results revealed that three species of fruit fly namely Bactrocera zonata, Bactrocera dorsalis and Carpomya vesuvianawere recorded from the time of fruit setting upto harvesting of the jujube fruit. From the collected fruit it was found that 90% infestation is inflicted solely by the B. zonata followed by C. vesuviana (8.02%)and B. dorsalis(5.56%) throughout the season. Furthermore, two species of the parasitoids such as Trybliographa daci and Dichasmimorpha longicaudata, were recorded from infested fruits. Whereas, T. daci (6.6%) and D. longicaudata, (1.36%) were recorded throughout experimental period.  Similarly, two species of the fruit flies B. zonata, and B. dorsalis were captured through methyl eugnol baited traps. Maximum B. zonata were captured during experimental period. However, very low population densities of B. dorsalis were recorded. No fly B. dorsalis captures were recorded when temperature dropped < 05 ºC.  These results could be helpful for the management of fruit flies in different varieties of Jujube.

Keywords: Jujube, Parasitoids, Population dynamics