Seasonal Abundances of Bactrocera passiflorae (Froggatt), B. xanthodes (Broun) and B. distincta
(Malloch) on Viti Levu
L. Leweniqila¹, L. Ralulu², F. Wise³ and A. Caucau
¹²³Department of Agriculture, Fruit fly unit, Plant Protection Section, Koronivia Research Station,
P.O.Box 77, Nausori, Fiji.
Abstract
A study was undertaken to determine the seasonal abundances of Bactrocera passiflorae, B.xanthodes and
B.distincta on Viti Levu. Male fruit flies were collected weekly for 52 weeks using pheromone traps at 12
randomly selected sites on Viti Levu to gauge the seasonal abundance of the 3 species. There is a general peak
in populations for the 3 species during the warmer months from October to April and lower numbers in the
cooler months. At Nadarivatu, which is a forest site, there is an absence of B. xanthodes except for the month of
June, confirming that B. xanthodes is not a forest species. The results of this study provides an indication of the
seasonal abundances of Bactrocera passiflorae, B.xanthodes, and B.distincta on Viti Levu where the Western
half of the island is generally drier than the Eastern half.
Keywords: Bactrocera spp, Seasonal abundance, Viti Levu.