Potentialities of development of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Argan fruits (Argania spinosa, Sapotacea) in Essaouira region, Morocco

Full text: Potentialities of the development and the dissemination of Ceratatis capitata from argan fruits (Sapotacea) in the Essaouira region, near the Atlantic cost, were assessed during two years. The average number of visible ovipositor punctures per fruit sampled on the ground and on the trees were 1.25 ± 0.04 and 0.44 ± 0.02, respectively. Consequently, higher number of eggs and live larvae were found in the fallen fruits (7.75 ± 0.32 against 2.63 ± 0.17) and (2.45 ± 0.13 against 0.77 ± 0.07) respectively. Conversely, the larval mortality was higher in fallen fruits (1.12 ± 0.09 against 0.38 ± 0.04). Only 44.9 % of eggs hatched and 67.8% reached the pupal stage. Pupal mortality due to several factors was 21%. The numbers of ovipositor punctures, eggs, and larvae per fruit ranged respectively from 1 to 12, 1 to 113 and 1 to 30. Adult populations of medfly during three years in an Argan forest detected by a local traps baited with trimedlure revealed that the average number of capture per trap (129 ± 15.77) is significantly higher than that of the adult populations detected in cultivated areas: apricot (23.87 ± 3.74), clementine (5.61 ± 0.60), navel (2.16 ± 0.30) and valenciana (1.52 ± 0.20). This is possibly due to the fact that these areas were under insecticide control. Thus, Argan forests of Essaouira region constitute a significant site for the proliferation of medflies that move into agricultural zones. (author)