Seasonal Spatial Distribution of the Mango Fruit Fly (Ceratitis cosyra) in Mango Trees Pruned to Give Three Different Pruning Canopies in High Density Mango Production in the South Eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe
Leonard Muturiki *
Department of Research and Specialist Services, Chiredzi Research Station, P.O.Box 97, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
Tapiwa J. Chitakunje
Department of Research and Specialist Services, Chiredzi Research Station, P.O.Box 97, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
Shupikai Ndigwirei
Department of Research and Specialist Services, Chiredzi Research Station, P.O.Box 97, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
Salome Nyaradzai Mubaiwa
Department of Research and Specialist Services, Chiredzi Research Station, P.O.Box 97, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The mango fruit fly (Ceratitis cosyra Walker) is the major pest of economic importance and which restricts mango exports from infested production areas in the SADC region. The effect of three pruning techniques, box/rectangle, spherical/round and the central leader, on assessing spatial distribution of fruit fly populations in high density mango production were investigated at Chiredzi Research station (21°01’S, 31°33’E) from 2010 to 2013. Results showed a significant rise in the number of adult fly catches among pruning techniques as from July to December (p< 0.05). Traps baited with Malathion 25% WP with molasses as an attractant were used to trap the flies. Results from all treatments indicated a significant rise in mean adult fruit fly catches from the months of July to December. It can be concluded that spatial distribution of the mango fruit fly is influenced by the fruiting and ripening patterns of mango.
Keywords: High density, fruit fly, spatial distribution, adult catches, pruning techniques, mango