Seasonal trends in adult populations of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) in olive groves of Akhisar District in Manisa, Türkiye

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a highly destructive pest that poses a major threat to many cultivated crops globally. It causes significant economic losses by infesting a wide range of fruits, including olives, which play a critical importance in agricultural production in Türkiye. In 2023, Manisa province ranked first in table olive production, fifth in oil olive production, and second in total olive production. The present study aimed to monitor the seasonal population dynamics of C. capitata adults in olive groves located in Akhisar district, Manisa, Türkiye, during the 2024 season. The research was conducted in two olive orchards (Çamönü and Efendi/Akhisar location) using McPhail traps baited with 2% diammonium phosphate (DAP) as the attractant. Three traps were placed in each orchard, and weekly sampling was carried out from June to November. The first adult flies were captured on 31 August in the Efendi location, averaging 2 adults per trap. The population peaked on 28 September with 112.3 flies per trap in the Efendi location. In the Çamönü location, adults were first recorded on 13 September with 1 adult per trap. The peak population in Çamönü occurred on October 26, reaching an average of 84.6 flies per trap.