Seasonal Incidence of fruit flies, Bactrocera spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) in mango orchard in relation to abiotic factors in Saharanpur region of Uttar Pradesh, India

A study on seasonal incidence of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera spp, Hendle (Diptera6” Tephritidae) in Saharanpur region of Uttar Pradesh, India was conducted by bottle trap and wooden block trap in 2004 and 2005 and factors including temperature! rainfall and host species with respect to the population fluctuation were analyzed systematically. The results showed that the fruit fly was present all year round in Saharanpur region of Uttar Pradesh. In bottle traps, catches started from 4^th standard week in 2004 (5.6 flies trap^-1 week^-1) and in 9^th standard week in 2005 (1.75 flies trap^-1 week^-1). Trap catches in wooden block trap started from 3^rd standard week in 2004 (3.67 flies trap^-1 week^-1) and from 4^th standard week 2005 (2.0 flies trap^-1 week^-1). The peak average population was 362.0 and 1042.0 flies trap^-1 week^-1 in 29^th standard week in bottle trap and wooden block trap, respectively in the year 2004. The peak average population was attained in 28^th standard week during 2005. It was observed that trap catches were higher in wooden block traps as compared to bottle traps in both the years of study. The fruit fly trap catch during 2004 and 2005 was found to be dependent upon abiotic factors. Significant positive correlations were recorded between average temperature and rainfall with the population of fruit flies during both the years of study. Analyses of relationship between average relative humidity and population of fruit flies revealed the presence of statistically insignificant negative correlations. Considering the correlation of abiotic factors with seasonal incidence in view, the present study holds promise for advance planning of management programme against fruit flies of mango.