Diversity, damage and seasonal abundance of fruit fly species (diptera: tephritidae) associated with citrus crops in Western Burkina Faso

The aim of this study was to identify fruit fly' species and assess their damages in citrus crops. In 2019, a trapping system based on the food attractant Torula associated with Dichlorvos, was set up in six citrus orchards situated in Houet and Kenedougou provinces. All traps were visited every 10 days to collect the fruit flies. In the same trapping period, citrus fruits were sampled and incubated in the laboratory to assess fruit fly' damage. Thirteen species of fruit flies were trapped in citrus orchards. They belong to the genera Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus, Perilampsis and Zeugodacus.Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis cosyra and Ceratitis silvestrii were the most abundant species. Fluctuation of their populations showed the same configuration in all citrus orchards with peaks observed during the rainy season (May-August).Bactrocera dorsalis and C. cosyra emerged from the fruits of Citrus sinensis, Citrus limon, Citrus reticulata and Citrus x tangelo. Fruits of C. limon and C. sinensis were more infested with B. dorsalis at an attack rate of 3.39 and 13.71%, respectively. The severity of attack was 29.30 pupae/kg of C. limon infested fruits and 71.03 pupae/kg of C. sinensis infested fruits. No damages was observed during the dry season. Citrus fruits species serve as secondary host plants for fruit flies and should be taken into account in the development of sustainable management strategy of these pests in Burkina Faso.