Studies on the bio-ecology of population in different elevation mediterranean frut fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (diptera: tephritidae)

In this study, Population fluctuations and overwintering biology of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae), at different altitude was monitored in mandarin, plum, peach orchards between the years 2014-2015 in some district of Mersin province, while effect of temperature on developmental time of immature stage of the fruit fly populations gathered from 200 m and 1600 m above sea level (asl) was compared betwwen the range of 18-30°C.Popuastion fluctuation of C. capitata changed with altering altitude while first flight coccured in end of April at 200 m asl in Hamzabeyli district it was mid of Jully at 1500m asl in Arslanköy. Although the fly can overwinter at 900 m asl in Borçak yaylası and no overwinterin in above 1200m, No migration were detected from sea level to high altitude plateau (1200 -1500m). Population clearly showed five peak poin at 600 m in haçgediği and 900 m in Borçak district, while it was only four at 1200 m in Hangediği and Kurudere, three at 1500 in Aslanköy. Accumulated degree-day of C. capitate was calculated, based on 14.36 °C developmental threshold for Aslanköy population, as 1125.06 degree- day give enough opurtunity to complete five generation based on Thermal constant of Arslanköy population which is 227.27 degree-day (egg to adult). Total developmental time of two populations showed no statistica diffrences in any sathge or any temperature except egg-larvae development has at 22 °C according to student t-test.