Interactions between the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera, Tephritidae) and its host plants range in the Niayes area in Senegal

Abstract

In Senegal, fruit production is limited by the impact of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae), among which the most destructive is Bactrocera dorsalis. For a new orientation of control methods based on a preventive approach, fruit infestations of 28 species and population dynamics were monitored in 5 orchards in the Niayes area from March 2017 to February 2018. This study shows that B. dorsalis is present in orchards, throughout the year in a range of 17 host plants. Mango was found to be the most preferred host plant among the 10 plant species compared. In addition, fruit infestation in orchards has been positively correlated with the level of B. dorsalis populations (Pearson Correlation, r > 0;p<0.05) under the influence of abiotic factors including temperature, humidity and rainfall. These results, reported for the first time in Senegal the status of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a host plant of B. dorsalis.