The population dynamics of fruit flies Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, B. correcta Bezzi, Bactrocera zonata Saunders, and Bactrocera versicolour Bezzi were studied in the Garcinia spp. at Sirsi and Katagal locations in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka in the Standard Metrological Week (SMW) 1 to 27 during 2021 and 2022. The fluctuations in the occurrence of adult fruit flies were assessed by using locally made methyl eugenol (ME) traps and the trap catches were recorded at fortnight intervals in fixed locations. The results revealed that B. dorsalis reached the peak (200.00 flies/trap and 210.25 flies/trap) in SMW 15th with an abundance of 55.51 and 53.25 percent during 2021 and 2022 in the Sirsi location. Similarly, in the Katagal location, the B. dorsalis reached the peak (210.12 flies/trap and 215.25 flies/trap) in SMW 15th with an abundance of 63.52 and 67.72 percent during 2021 and 2022. Relatively, the popuation of B. correcta were maximum (145.00 flies/trap and 165.00 flies/trap) was observed in SMW 15th with an abundance of 34.32 and 35.72 percent during 2021 and 2022 in the Sirsi location. In the Katagal location, the peak of the B. correcta (135.25 flies/trap and 139.25 flies/trap) was observed in SMW 15th with an abundance of 36.31 and 37.60 percent during 2021 and 2022 in Garcinia indica and the peak population of fruit flies coincided with peak fruiting. Comparable trap caches trend was observed in G. morella and G. gummigutta. Similarly, the B. zonata and B. versicolour trap caches and abundance were very low in both locations in Garcinia spp.

Bactrocera dorsalis, B.correcta, B. zonata, B. versicolour, Garcinia spp, trap caches

In conclusion of the present research findings, the population of fruit flies fluctuated during the fruiting period in Garcinia spp. and B. dorsalis appeared to be the most abundant species as compared to B. correcta, B. zonata and B. versicolour.

: Raghunatha R., Javaregowda, Vasudeva R., R.V. Hegde and Roopa S. Patil (2023). Population Dynamics of Fruit flies in Garcinia spp. in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 09-15.