Oviposition of Anastrepha oblicua (Macquart, 1835) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in fruits of Spondias purpurea L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae)

Abstract

Anastrepha spp. complex includes species of economic importance that infest a wide variety of fruits from tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to describe the behavior and biological cycle associated to the attack of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) on the species Spondias purpurea L. Biological observations were performed in Alto de la Arena, corregimiento de Veladero, Tolé district, Chiriquí province, Panamá, where it was collected a total of 12 fruits of Spondias purpurea L., then carried to the laboratory and annotations on the biological cycle and behavioral data were performed daily. It was determined the biological cycle of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) has a duration of 30 to 32 days in the laboratory; the immature pupal stage presented the highest mortality, possibly due to the environmental conditions in the lab, which could be influencing in an early or late start of pupal stage. It is considered that the opportune moment to take control measures of this plague in the different fruit crops is during the emergence of larvae from the fruits, when they are more vulnerable to attack by natural enemies or biological control.