Environmental Entomology (2004) 33, 1695-1702

Juan Rull and Ronald J. Prokopy (2004)
Host-finding and ovipositional-boring responses of apple maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) to different apple genotypes
Environmental Entomology 33 (6), 1695-1702
Abstract: We studied relationships between adult apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), and apple genotypes in the field and laboratory by counting male and female flies trapped on unbaited sticky red spheres and by counting fruit punctures in choice tests. Six apple genotypes were chosen for both field and laboratory tests grouped into three categories of phenological development (early, mid, and late ripening). In the field, where comparisons were made over a 2-yr period in five commercial orchards, apple maggot trap captures tended to be aggregated on trees of certain genotypes rather than uniformly distributed. For early ripening genotypes, traps on Jersey Mac accumulated moderately high to high numbers of apple maggot during early and mid-season, whereas traps on Paula Red accumulated few flies during both periods. For mid-ripening genotypes, traps on Gala accumulated high numbers of apple maggot during early, mid-, and late season, whereas traps on McIntosh accumulated comparatively small numbers during all parts of the season. Fuji, a late-ripening genotype, was among the preferred genotypes during mid- and late season, whereas Red Delicious, another late-ripening genotype, received high numbers of apple maggot during early and mid-season. In the lab, during early season, fruit of all genotypes except Red Delicious were accepted for boring in high proportions by caged apple maggot. During mid- and late season, fruit of Fuji and Red Delicious were accepted for boring in lower proportions than fruit of other genotypes. The degree to which apple genotypes were accepted for oviposition in the laboratory did not correspond with tree visitation rates in the field. Sugar content and pulp pressure of fruits of different genotypes also did not correspond with tree visitation rates. Our results suggest that the distribution of apple maggot in orchards is influenced by the tendency of flies to preferentially visit trees of particular apple genotypes. Preferences for apple genotypes seem to be independent of the ripening phenology, sugar content, and pulp pressure of fruit. We discuss the nature of such preferences and implications for an attract-and-kill approach to apple maggot control in commercial orchards.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhagoletis pomonella	Apple (Malus)