Environmental Entomology (1998) 27, 1310-1314

P. Jane Hodgson, John Sivinski, Gemma Quintero and Martin Aluja (1998)
Depth of pupation and survival of fruit fly (Anastrepha spp.: Tephritidae) pupae in a range of agricultural habitats
Environmental Entomology 27 (6), 1310-1314
Abstract: In central Veracruz State, Mexico, tephritid fruit fly pupae are commonly attacked by ants, staphylinid beetles, and other preclators. Excavations in 2 sites with different soil characteristics revealed that Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae typically burrowed no >2 cm before pupating and rarely burrowed >5 cm. At 4 field sites, pupae of the most commonly encountered local Anastrepha sp. (A. obliqua, ludens, and striata or fraterculus) were placed on the soil surface and at depths of 2.5 and 5 cm and were subsequently sampled daily for 10 d. Pupae on the surface invariably disappeared at a greater rate than those under the surface. There was no difference in the disappearance rate of pupae buried at 2.5 and 5 cm, suggesting that larvae would gain no benefit by pupating at depths below those encountered in nature. The rate of disappearance of the buried pupae differed considerably among the sites. At the end of the sampling period the proportion of pupae remaining ranged from 15 to 70%. Differences in the species of predators present and soil characteristics may have contributed to these differences in disappearance. Pupae disappeared at the highest rate in a site with dry loose soil. It was lowest in sites with damp clay soils characterized by fine particle size and small interparticle spaces.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Martín Aluja

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anastrepha ludens		Mexico
	Anastrepha obliqua		Mexico
	Anastrepha striata		Mexico
	Anastrepha fraterculus		Mexico