OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT-FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) IN DESERT AREAS IN CHILE AND PERU

The occurrence and distribution of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), in desert areas near the Peru-Chilean border were monitored with protein- and trimedlure-baited traps. The results showed a distinct pattern of increase and decline related to C. capitata population trends in Tacna Valley, Peru. C. capitata was most abundant in the Aeropuerto frontier location and the inland Gallinazo location. All frontier locations showed similar seasonal population trends and yearly variation in total catches between trap sites related to long-range fly movement. The synchronous population dispersal pattern of males and females suggests it is an important survival behavior mechanism for C. capitata populations in the arid areas of Chile and Peru.