The present field study was carried out to assess the effect of the five host
fruits (guava, celementine, Shammoty orange, grapefruit and Valencia orange) as well
as the total area on population dynamics of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis
capitata, Wied. The population fluctuation of adult the Medfly by Jackson traps in
above host fruits during three seasons (2001-2004) was monitored. The captured
males per trap (Jackson) for every ten days was counted and then recalculated per
day (CTD) to use it's as a measure of fly abundance. Data showed significant
differences in the population of Medfly (CTD) in host fruits groves in three seasons, in
season's sequence and within season (dates of inspections). In addition the influence
of host fruits species on Medfly population dynamics the (CTD) was observed. The
average of three seasons (2001-2004) showed that Shammoty orange (CTD=3.47),
quava fruits (CTD=3.0) was the highest effect on CTD'S among the host fruits. Similar
results were observed for December (CTD=5.2), November (CTD=4.74), July
(CTD=4.44) and August (CTD=4.24), respectively were the highest effect on CTD'S / for all host fruits. Also the interaction effect between host fruits and months on the
population fluctuation Medfly was recorded. In all cases of host fruits groves most population peak numbers of Medfly
were observed shortly after the period of end maximum host fruit repining and there
was a relationship between population dynamics, fruit infestation the Medfly and fruit
maturity. The Medfly is available a long a year but it decrease and increase during the
season depending on host fruit availability and climatic condition. More than two
population peaks were found in a particular every host fruit. One of these peak
appeared in fruit repining period and the others were related to the ripen period of
neighboring host fruits. The temperature had a clear effect on the daily activity period
of the Medfly during summer and autumn seasons. The Highest mean percentage of
Medfly infestation was observed in guava (46%-48.5%) during October & November,
in grapefruit (28.5%-50%) during January and in Valencia (17.5%-49%) during June.
The study suggests that further research is needed to study the seasonal abundance,
host susceptibility of Medfly and evaluation new techniques of controlling friendly
environment which will help us in planning IPM program for reducing and suppressing
this insect in groves.