Browsing by Author "De Meyer, M."

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Biodiversity of fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in orchards in different agro-ecological zones of the Morogoro region, Tanzania
(Fruits, 2006) Mwatawala, M. W.; De Meyer, M.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Maerere, A. P.
Introduction. Fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) are among the major constraints in commercial horticulture in many African developing countries. Knowledge of the tephritid spectrum in any given area is a prerequisite for the development of an IPM program to alleviate the pest problem. We studied the fruit fly diversity in four main agro-ecological zones which are significant fruit-producing areas in the Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Materials and methods. Fruit fly diversity was investigated for one year (October 2004 – October 2005). Parapheromones, synthetic food attractant and protein-bait traps were used to trap the flies at the different locations in Morogoro region, Tanzania. One mixed orchard was selected at each of four locations representing the different agro-ecological zones of the region. Results. The recently introduced alien species, Bactrocera invadens, and three indigenous pest species, Ceratitis rosa, Dacus bivittatus and D. punctatifrons, were found at all the four sites, while Bactrocera cucurbitae, Ceratitis cosyra, Dacus chiwira and D. humeralis were found in three out of the four sites. The Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) Horticulture Unit and Mikese sites had the highest species diversity while the Mkindo and Nyandira sites had the lowest diversity. The between-habitats diversity (Beta diversity) was similar among the SUA, Mkindo and Mikese sites. Only the Nyandira site had a higher dissimilarity in comparison with the other three sites. Discussion. The most abundant species at low- and mid-elevation sites was Bactrocera invadens while, at high elevation, Ceratitis rosa was the dominant species. Protein-baited traps attracted the highest diversity of fruit flies in comparison with the more specific parapheromones. The synthetic food attractant (three-component lure) was less efficient compared with the protein bait. The large dissimilarity at the Nyandira site is probably due to the different types of host fruits found and grown in high altitude areas (mainly temperate fruits). Fruit fly species associated with these types of fruits, e.g., Ceratitis rubivora and Trirhithrum coffeae, were found only at this site.
An overview of bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae) invasions and their speculated dominancy over native fruit fly species in Tanzania
(Journal of Entomology, 2009) Mwatawala, M.W.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; De Meyer, M.; Maerere, A. P.
The dominancy of introduced Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) over the native fruit fly species was assessed based on data collected from a trapping and sampling program in Morogoro, Tanzania, from 2004 to 2006. Two invasions by Bactrocera species namely the invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White and the Solanum fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) have been recorded in 2003 and 2006, respectively. These add to an earlier introduced melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett). Points and exact times of entry of these species are still unknown. Dominance of Bactrocera species over the native Ceratitis species has been speculated from other parts of the world. Results of this study also suggest the dominancy of Bactrocera species over native Ceratitis species in Tanzania. B. cucurbitae seems to dominate the other cucurbit infesters in terms of abundance and infestation rate. Similarly, B. invadens seems to dominate the native Ceratitis species in orchard fruits in terms of abundance, host range and infestation rate. B. latifrons, whose distribution in the country is still unclear, seems to be the dominant species in its main hosts from family Solananaceae. The outcome of the competition resulting from these introductions is speculated upon. Presence of these pests calls for strong surveillance systems and quarantine regulations to protect the infant fruit industry of Tanzania.
An overview of bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae) invasions and their speculated dominancy over native fruit fly species in Tanzania
(Journal of Entomology, 2009) Mwatawala, M.W.; De Meyer, M.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Maerere, A. P.
The dominancy of introduced Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae) over the native fruit fly species was assessed based on data collected from a trapping and sampling program in Morogoro, Tanzania, from 2004 to 2006. Two invasions by Bactrocera species namely the invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White and the Solanum fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) have been recorded in 2003 and 2006, respectively. These add to an earlier introduced melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett). Points and exact times of entry of these species are still unknown. Dominance of Bactrocera species over the native Ceratitis species has been speculated from other parts of the world. Results of this study also suggest the dominancy of Bactrocera species over native Ceratitis species in Tanzania. B. cucurbitae seems to dominate the other cucurbit infesters in terms of abundance and infestation rate. Similarly, B. invadens seems to dominate the native Ceratitis species in orchard fruits in terms of abundance, host range and infestation rate. B. latifrons, whose distribution in the country is still unclear, seems to be the dominant species in its main hosts from family Solananaceae. The outcome of the competition resulting from these introductions is speculated upon. Presence of these pests calls for strong surveillance systems and quarantine regulations to protect the infant fruit industry of Tanzania.