Determination of population dynamics of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wied. Diptera: Tephritidae) in some fruit orchards in Mardin province

This study examines the presence and population dynamics of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in fruit orchards in the Mardin Province, specifically in the districts of Artuklu, Derik, Kızıltepe, and Yeşilli, during the years 2023-2024. The Mediterranean fruit fly is one of the major pests causing direct yield and quality losses in fruit orchards. For this reason, the study was carried out in five orchards growing cherry, fig, and pomegranate. The study was conducted with monthly intervals between January and March, and weekly intervals between April and December. Delta-type sexual pheromone traps were used to detect the presence of the pest in the orchards and monitor its population development. In pomegranate orchards, adult fruit flies were first captured in the first week of July 2023 and in the first week of August 2024. The highest number of adults trapped was observed in September 2023 (520 adults/trap) and mid-October 2024 (550 adults/trap). Additionally, 15 damaged fruits collected from the trees in pomegranate orchards were placed in tulle cages, and the emergence of C. capitata adults was followed. The first adult emergence from the cages occurred on September 3, 2024. Therefore, it was observed that C. capitata had overwintered in some of the orchards included in the study. In fig orchards, the first individuals were captured in mid-July 2023, and in the second half of August 2024. The highest adult population was recorded at the beginning of November 2023 (390 adults/trap) and mid-October 2024 (335 adults/trap). In the cherry orchards, no adult fruit flies were caught in traps due to the harvest occurring before the emergence of adults.In pomegranate orchards, the percentage of damaged fruits due to C. capitata ranged from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 14% during 2023-2024.These findings provide valuable insights into the timing and population density of the Mediterranean fruit fly across different fruit species and offer strategic information for pest management in the region. In this study, cages were set up in orchards to investigate whether the pest overwinters in the region, and the emergence of adults from the cages was observed. This finding suggests that the pest is capable of surviving the winter in the region.