PoPulation Biology and SuPPreSSion ProSPectS

Introduction Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) is a tephritid fruit fly native to South and Southeast Asia (White and Elson-Harris 1992). First detected in Hawaii in 1983 (Vargas and Nishida 1985a), it primarily infests fruits of solanaceous plants but has also been found to infest fruits of some species of cucurbitaceous plants in Hawaii (Harris et al. 1991, 1993, White and ElsonHarris 1992, Liquido et al. 1994). Because it has been known in Hawaii for a much shorter period of time than the other three introduced tephritid fruit flies of economic importance [oriental fruit fly, B. dorsalis (Hendel); melon fly, B. cucurbitae (Coquillett); and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)], there has been much less opportunity to study its basic biology and ecology. One area not yet sufficiently understood is the population ecology of this species. In general, it has been observed to maintain relatively low population densities, perhaps because its wild hosts are usually sparsely distributed (making studies of wild populations difficult), and the crop species it attacks have only limited areas of production (Harris et al. 1991, 1993, Liquido et al. 1994, Peck and McQuate 2004). Higher population levels have, however, been found in areas having turkeyberry (Solanum torvum Sw) patches. Previous research taking advantage of B. latifrons population levels in areas with abundant turkeyberry patches have contributed to improved knowledge of B. latifrons male lure response (McQuate and Peck 2001, McQuate et al. 2004) and movement (Peck and McQuate 2004). These areas are also expected to provide a good environment for the study of the population ecology of B. latifrons. Because sequential flowering in turkeyberry can lead to a steady production of fruits, areas with abundant patches of turkeyberry also provide a good model system of the potential pest status of B. latifrons in continuously cultivated solanaceous crops, such as peppers (Capsicum spp.) and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). At present, there are no large plantings of these economically valuable species in Hawaii that are heavily infested with B. latifrons, although the potential for such infestation exists. Here, we report on the population levels of B. latifrons as they relate to turkeyberry phenology in a cattle pasture with abundant turkeyberry patches in the vicinity of Haiku, Maui.