OVIPOSITION BEHAVIOR OF ANASTREPHA-FRATERCULUS IN APPLE AND DIEL PATTERN OF ACTIVITIES IN AN APPLE ORCHARD IN BRAZIL

The oviposition behavior and diel pattern of activities of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) were observed in an apple o rchard and fruit characteristics involved in oviposition preferences w ere investigated in field cage tests. Fruit size influenced fruit acce ptability as an oviposition site by females which did not discriminate among the cultivars 'Gala', 'Fuji', and 'Golden Delicious' when same- size fruits were presented simultaneously. Oviposition behavior in app les was basically the same as that described for primary hosts. Hourly census of fly activity indicated that adults did not overnight in the orchard and that they entered the orchard around 1100 h when temperat ure reached about 21 degrees C. Bird droppings were an important food item for adults. Behavioral differences between males and females migh t account for a significant biased sex ratio both in the orchard and a t the edge of the native surrounding vegetation. Implications for frui t fly management in Brazilian apple orchards are discussed.