Effect of Fruit Screening Method on Estimating Number of Oriental Fruit Flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Host Fruit

Abstract

The effect of fruit screening method on estimations of the numbers of oriental fruit fly. Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), in host fruit was studied, using papaya (Carica papaya L, variety Kapoho Solo) as the test fruit. In this paper, "fruit screening method" is defined as a collective method of sifting fruits and rearing medium for larvae and pupae of fruit flies, rearing the recovered immature stages to adults, and recovering the emerged fruit fly and parasitoid adults. Six calculation methods were used to estimate fruit fly numbers. Each method simulated a different fruit screening method. Data showed that estimates of numbers of fruit flies in host fruit varied significantly with the fruit screening method (or with the method of calculating the number of flies in infested fruit). This report recommends that fruit screening methods be carefully evaluated against the objectives of the study being conducted, and the proposed application of the data being gathered.