Spatiotemporal characterization of citrus postbloom fruit drop in Brazil and its relationship to pathogen dispersal

Citrus postbloom fruit drop (PFD) is caused by Colletotrichum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides. These pathogens attack the flowers and cause premature fruit drop and the retention of fruit calyces. This study was designed to characterize the spatial and temporal dynamics of PFD in commercial citrus‐growing areas to better understand the disease spread. Experiments were carried out in three young orchards (500 trees each) in two municipalities in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Symptoms of PFD on the flowers and presence of persistent calyces were assessed in each of three orchards for three years. Logistic, Gompertz and monomolecular models were fitted to the incidence data over time from the trees with symptoms. The spatial pattern of diseased trees was characterized by a dispersion index and by Taylor′s power law. An autologistic model was used for the spatiotemporal analysis. The logistic model provided the best fit to the disease incidence data, which had a fast progress rate of 0·53 per day. During the early epidemic of PFD, the spatial pattern of diseased trees was random, which suggested that inoculum spread was due to mechanisms other than rain splash. As the disease incidence increased (up to 12·6%), the spatial pattern of diseased trees became aggregated. The rapid rate of disease progress and the distribution of PFD suggest that dispersal of the pathogen is possibly related to a mechanism other than splash dispersal, which is more typical of other fruit diseases caused by Colletotrichum spp.     

STREP: a brown‐spot disease predictor for scheduling fungicide sprays against Stemphylium vesicarium on pear*

Brown spot of pear (Pyrus communis) caused by Stemphylium vesicarium is an important disease in fruit‐growing areas of Europe. The control of brown spot is based on protectant sprays of fungicide applied, at 7‐ to 15‐day intervals depending on the type of fungicide, from fruit set to preharvest regardless of the risk of infection. A forecasting model has been developed and can be used for timing the fungicide applications and to eliminate unnecessary sprays. The model quantifies the relationship between wetness duration and temperature in disease severity and can be used as a tool for the prediction of disease infection periods. The capacity of risk prediction was validated over 2 years. The fungicide sprays scheduled by the STREP forecaster were evaluated in commercial orchards during 3 years in different climatic areas in Spain and Italy. The results showed consistently that use of the STREP model minimized the number of fungicide sprays compared with a protectant schedule, but without decreasing the quality of commercial disease control. The susceptibility of selected European pear cultivars to infection by S. vesicarium and the influence of fruit age were also determined. The implementation of the model in warning stations will require the combination of predictions by the STREP model, the level of inoculum and the sensitivity of phenological stage and pear cultivar.     

Suppressing oriental fruit fly populations with phloxine B-protein bait sprays

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a tephritid fruit fly that is a serious pest of a wide range of tropical fruits. Populations of oriental and other fruit fly species are often suppressed by utilizing aerial or ground sprays of hydrolysed protein bait mixed with malathion. Although proven to be efficacious, spraying food bait mixed with malathion in urban areas is strongly opposed by the public because of perceived public health and environmental risks. To suppress the population level of oriental fruit fly in a guava orchard in Hawaii, we used the light-activated xanthene dye, phloxine B (2′,4′,5′,7′ -tetrabromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein, disodium salt), as an alternative to malathion in protein bait sprays. Because phloxine B must be ingested to be toxic, it is expected that phloxine B bait sprays will have less impact on non-target insects than the contact insecticide malathion. Evidence of suppression of oriental fruit fly population in the treatment orchard was provided by both protein bait trap catches and assessment of fruit infestation. This suppression was achieved even though there was an unsprayed guava orchard on two sides of the small (less than 2.0 ha) sprayed orchard. These results, combined with results for other fruit fly species (presented elsewhere), indicate that phloxine B-protein bait sprays can be effective in suppressing populations of several different fruit fly species and that phloxine B is a potential replacement for malathion in bait sprays for tephritid fruit fly suppression/eradication programs.     

Is <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roesleria subterranea</Emphasis> a primary pathogen or a minor parasite of grapevines? Risk assessment and a diagnostic decision scheme

In the past the root rot pathogen Roesleria subterranea (Ascomycota) was generally considered as a minor parasite, a view with which we were often confronted during field work in German wine-growing regions where this ascomycete recently caused serious problems in established vineyards and at replant sites. To irrevocably demonstrate that R. subterranea is not a minor, but a primary pathogen of grapevines (and fruit trees) a pest risk analysis was carried out according to the guidelines defined by EPPO standard series PM 5, which defines the information needed, and contains standardised, detailed key questions and a decision support scheme for risk analysis. Following the provided decision scheme, it becomes apparent that R. subterranea must be considered as a serious, primary pathogen for grapevines and fruit trees that can cause massive economic losses. Based on the literature, the pathogen seems to be ubiquitous in wine growing regions in cool climates of the northern hemisphere. It is likely that because of its growth below ground, the small fruiting bodies, and ambiguous symptoms above ground, R. subterranea has been overlooked in the past and therefore, has not been considered as primary pathogen for grapevine. Available published information together with experience from field trials was implemented into a diagnostic decision scheme which will, together with the comprehensive literature provided, be the basis (a) to implement quick and efficient diagnosis of this pathogen in the field and (b) to conduct risk analysis and management in areas where R. subterranea has not established yet.     

EU‐project DROPSA: first achievements regarding pathway analyses for fruit pests

The EU project ‘DROPSA’ started in 2014 and aims to improve plant health strategies in the fruit sector. The project is being conducted by an international consortium of 26 partners consisting of phytosanitary organizations, companies, research institutes and universities and will last 50 months. Results will be disseminated via conventional publications and will be brought together in the development of risk‐based strategies to prevent the introduction of new fruit pests. This article describes the task related to the preparation of alert lists of pests that may be introduced into Europe with the trade of fruit. Activities of this task include the investigation of pathways of introduction for fruit pests into Europe, the development of alert lists for selected fruit crops and a review of current legislation. A review of introductions, interceptions and outbreaks that occurred during the last 10–15 years was conducted and is summarized, showing the relevance of fruit trade for the international movement of pests. Work has started on the development of alert lists for selected pathways. In this context, important fruit crops (including Malus, Vaccinium, Vitis, Citrus) were selected.     

Hymenopteran Parasitoids on Fruit-infesting Tephritidae (Diptera) in Latin America and the Southern United States: Diversity, Distribution, Taxonomic Status and their use in Fruit Fly Biological Control

We first discuss the diversity of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of the Neotropics. Even though the emphasis is on Anastrepha parasitoids, we also review all the information available on parasitoids attacking flies in the genera Ceratitis, Rhagoletis, Rhagoletotrypeta, Toxotrypana and Zonosemata. We center our analysis in parasitoid guilds, parasitoid assemblage size and fly host profiles. We also discuss distribution patterns and the taxonomic status of all known Anastrepha parasitoids. We follow by providing a historical overview of biological control of pestiferous tephritids in Latin American and Florida (U.S.A.) and by analyzing the success or failure of classical and augmentative biological control programs implemented to date in these regions. We also discuss the lack of success of introductions of exotic fruit fly parasitoids in various Latin American countries. We finish by discussing the most pressing needs related to fruit fly biological control (classical, augmentative, and conservation modalities) in areas of the Neotropics where fruit fly populations severely restrict the development of commercial fruit growing. We also address the need for much more intensive research on the bioecology of native fruit fly parasitoids.     

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein activity in cantaloupe fruit as a function of fruit maturation and tissue origin

Netted cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis cv. Magnum 45) were harvested from 5 to 35 days postanthesis. The fruit of each age group were divided into exocarp, outer mesocarp, mid mesocarp, inner mesocarp, placenta, and seed. Each tissue was extracted and assayed for polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) activity against polygalacturonases (PGs) from three fungal pathogens of cantaloupe fruit. The PGIP activity of all tissues except placenta was high from the flower stage through the first week of fruit development but decreased markedly between 5 and 10 days postanthesis. PGIP activity against Phomopsis cucurbitae PG remained high and nearly constant in placental tissue throughout fruit development. However in this same tissue, PGIP activity against Fusarium solani PG decreased during fruit development to about 25% of its level in the 5-day-old fruit. This differential change in PGIP activity toward the two PGs suggests that different forms of the inhibitor are expressed between early and late stages of cantaloupe fruit development. The results also illustrate the importance of using multiple pathogen enzyme systems that can provide an opportunity for more accurate elucidation of mechanisms involved in the host–pathogen interaction. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture. All programs and services of the US Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap. The article cited was prepared by a USDA employee as part of his/her official duties. Copyright protection under US copyright law is not available for such works. Accordingly, there is no copyright to transfer. The fact that the private publication in which the article appears is itself copyrighted does not affect the material of the US Government, which can be freely reproduced by the public.     

Altitude,tree species and soil type are the main factors influencing the severity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaeoramularia</Emphasis> leaf and fruit spot disease of citrus in the humid zones of Cameroon

In Cameroon and most countries of tropical Africa where Phaeoramularia leaf and fruit spot disease of citrus is reported, a total yield loss of 50–100% is common. For effective control of this disease, it is imperative to understand how it originates, and which factors contribute to its development. To this end, the environmental and biological characteristics of each tree from 39 sites located in 13 citrus production basins in the humid zones of Cameroon were collected by means of a survey. Information was collected by interviewing heads of households, and by visual inspection of trees and their environment. The independent variable was severity of the disease while the dependent variables were environmental and biological characteristics. Climatic characteristics varied from one basin to another. The 13 citrus production basins were regrouped in five categories based on disease severity. Altitude, tree species and soil type were the main factors influencing the disease severity. Thus the higher is the altitude, the more important is the disease severity. Also, disease severity increased with increasing number of grape fruit, orange and pummelo trees. However, disease severity was lower on trees growing on volcanic soils as compared with the other soil types. Further analysis of these factors could lead to the development of a risk assessment model for Phaeoramularia leaf and fruit spot of citrus.     

橘小实蝇对不同寄主果实的产卵偏好及其与寄主果实理化性质的相关性

为明确橘小实蝇寄主偏好性机理,2018年于广西番石榴主产区测定橘小实蝇对14种不同寄主果实的产卵选择性、对嗜好寄主不同生育期果实的产卵选择性及嗜好寄主不同生育期的果实硬度、可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白含量,并对果实硬度、可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白含量与橘小实蝇产卵率的相关性进行分析。结果表明,广西番石榴主产区不同月份均有多种不同种类的橘小实蝇潜在寄主果实成熟,但橘小实蝇偏好在台湾珍珠番石榴和西瓜红番石榴上产卵,产卵率分别为43.98%和39.43%,且对两者产卵无显著偏好性;橘小实蝇偏好在这2个番石榴品种的成熟期果实上产卵,产卵率分别为48.01%和44.84%,膨大期次之,产卵率分别为40.75%和41.75%。台湾珍珠番石榴成熟期果实硬度和可溶性蛋白含量均最低,分别为3.18 kg/cm2和0.10 mg/g,均显著低于其他2个生育期;台湾珍珠番石榴成熟期果实可溶性糖含量为32.72%,显著高于其他2个生育期。西瓜红番石榴3个生育期果实硬度、可溶性蛋白含量和可溶性糖含量的变化规律与台湾珍珠番石榴一致。橘小实蝇在台湾珍珠番石榴和西瓜红番石榴果实上的产卵率与果实硬度和可溶性蛋白含量呈负相关,...     

Physiological and physical measures to control postharvest diseases of fruit

Preharvest and postharvest decay of persimmon fruits caused byAltemaria alternata can be effectively alleviated by a growth hormone effect on the physiology of the fruit An orchard application of gibberellin (GA₃), prior to harvest, maintains the calyx in an upright, erect position, thus preventing the formation of a microclimate beneath the calyx, which is conducive to decay development in this region. The additional effect of delaying fruit maturation, leads to an increased resistance of the fruit to postharvest decay development on the entire fruit surface during storage. Other measures, of a physical nature, which can be employed to control postharvest disease, include a change in environment, such as achieved by controlled atmosphere storage or modified atmosphere packaging. The dominant control factors appear to be the naturally produced CO₂ and possibly acetaldehyde.     

Characterization of monilia disease caused by Monilinia linhartiana on quince in southern Spain

This study elucidates the aetiology and epidemiology of monilia disease of quince caused by the fungus Monilinia linhartiana in Spain. Disease incidence and the dynamics of apothecial development and ascospore discharge were quantified and the pathogen was characterized using morphological and molecular methods. The pathogen did not produce conidia or apothecia on agar media but produced conidia on leaves showing symptoms and apothecia on mummified young quince fruit. Monilinia linhartiana was not pathogenic on ripe quince fruit but was readily isolated from developing, mummified fruit (pseudosclerotia). Phylogenetic analysis based on 5·8S‐ITS region sequences placed M. linhartiana in the Disjuntoriae section of Monilinia species infecting rosaceous hosts. Studies during 2004–2008 in four commercial orchards in southern Spain determined two major infection periods for the disease. The first coincided with the unfolding of the first leaves and resulted in leaf blotch and shoot blight. The second coincided with flowering and led to mummification of developing young fruit. Foliar infection was apparently initiated by airborne ascospores produced on pseudosclerotia that overwintered on the soil surface, while flower infection was probably initiated by conidia produced on leaf lesions. Incidence of diseased shoots ranged from 1 to 91% and was correlated with calculated inoculum potential, based on the density and maturity of apothecia formed on pseudosclerotia. This epidemiological study has made it possible to characterize the life cycle of monilia disease on quince in southern Spain, which will help the development of new control strategies.     

High inoculum of Monilinia fructicola is a threat to peach production in the tropics due to fruit susceptibility at all development stages

Brown rot is the main disease of stone fruits in Brazil, but the susceptibility of peaches to brown rot at different stages of development in the field has not been studied under subtropical conditions. This information is relevant to guide the management of the disease. The objective of this research was to determine the influence of inoculating peaches with Monilinia fructicola at different stages of development on the infection and progress of brown rot at postharvest. Two experiments were carried out: one ex vivo with two cultivars and the other in the field for two seasons. Peaches were inoculated at different sizes for both experiments. In the field, peaches were bagged to avoid natural infection, and M. fructicola inoculum was monitored. The ex vivo incidence of the disease was lower at pit hardening than at other fruit stages for both cultivars. The incidence of brown rot for peaches attached to the trees increased with fruit ripening. Conversely, the time for symptom expression was reduced according to peach diameter. Peaches inoculated with a diameter smaller than 2 cm showed a lower incidence of brown rot and longer periods for disease expression than fruit inoculated near harvest. In conclusion, in areas with high inoculum in the orchard, a common condition in the subtropics, the grower must prevent infection at all stages of fruit development, thus avoiding losses during marketing.     

Investigation and rapid detection of fungal pathogens causing mulberry sclerotial disease in south-west China

Mulberry sclerotial disease is a destructive disease that afflicts mulberry fruits throughout the world. In recent years, the impact of mulberry sclerotial disease has increased with the development of the mulberry fruit industry. Ciboria carunculoides, C. shiraiana, and Scleromitrula shiraiana are all pathogens causing mulberry sclerotial disease, but the dominant pathogen may be different in different mulberry planting areas. In this study, we investigated the causal agents of mulberry sclerotial disease in Chongqing and Sichuan, the main mulberry planting areas in south-west China. The results showed that C. carunculoides was the dominant pathogen in the investigated areas, and the disease incidence rate on some widely cultivated mulberry varieties exceeded 90%. Based on the differences in internal transcriber spacer sequences of different pathogens, we developed a method using cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) from digestion with the three restriction enzymes HindIII, EcoRI, and MluI for rapid detection of pathogens on mulberry fruits. Use of this method confirmed that the diseased fruits of some mulberry varieties were infected by a mixture of C. carunculoides and S. shiraiana. Long-fruit mulberry, which was considered to be resistant to sclerotial disease in the past, was also infected by C. carunculoides. Diseased fruit infected by C. shiraiana or by S. shiraiana alone were not detected. Our results suggest that C. carunculoides is probably the dominant pathogen causing mulberry sclerotial disease in south-west China. The CAPS method for rapid detection of pathogens could assist diagnosis, epidemiology, and disease monitoring.     

Laboratory survival of Drosophila suzukii under simulated winter conditions of the Pacific Northwest and seasonal field trapping in five primary regions of small and stone fruit production in the United States

BACKGROUND: Drosophila suzukii was first found in Oregon in August 2009. The threat of this pest to regional small and stone fruit production industries led to investigations on its overwintering capabilities in fruit‐growing regions in the Pacific Northwest. Knowledge of its cold tolerance will help in the development of computer models to forecast seasonal population growth and decline. RESULTS: Of 1500 adults or pupae, 22 (1.4%) individuals survived the 84 day experimental chilling period. Most (86%) of the survivors were subjected to 10 °C temperature treatments. Survival decreased significantly at lower temperature treatments. Freezing temporarily increased the mortality rate but did not significantly affect overall mortality over the trial period. Flies that emerged from pupae are estimated to survive for up to 103–105 days at 10 °C and for shorter periods at lower temperatures. Field trapping in five fruit production areas has demonstrated overwintering survival in California and Oregon, but lower survival is predicted in Eastern Washington and Michigan. CONCLUSION: The experiments reported here indicate that long‐term survival of D. suzukii is unlikely at temperatures below 10 °C. Field data from five climatic regions indicated extended low initial D. suzukii field presence in 2010 in all regions except California, where field presence was recorded earlier. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Involvement of antifungal compounds from rockmelon fruit rind (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis melo</Emphasis> L.) in resistance against the fruit rot pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">melonis</Emphasis>.

Fusarium rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, causes significant postharvest losses in rockmelon crops. Although latent infection is often present in the field, symptoms of the disease may not appear until fruit maturity. The susceptibility of different-aged rockmelon fruit cv. “Colorado” was determined by inoculating fruit at different stages of development with a spore suspension of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Disease symptoms appeared first and were more severe in older fruit compared to younger fruit. Disease symptoms on fruit 35 DAA (Days After Anthesis) and 42 DAA appeared within 3 days of inoculation and rapidly covered the fruit within 5 days. In contrast, disease symptoms on fruit 7 DAA appeared 6 days after inoculation and grew slowly. Extraction of antifungal compounds without involving acid hydrolysis from 7 DAA fruit rind did not show antifungal activity on TLC plates. However, hydrolysis of the ethyl acetate fraction resulted in a strong fungal inhibitory zone on agar plates against colonies of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Separation of the hydrolysed crude extracts on TLC plates indicated the presence of two distinct antifungal zones with R_f 0.36 and 0.13 in young fruit 7, 14 and 21 DAA. The area of fungal inhibition of compound R_f 0.36 was greater than that of R_f 0.13 on the TLC plate. Extracts from mature fruit of 35 and 42 DAA did not have detectable levels of antifungal compounds. The decrease in the susceptibility of rockmelon fruit during maturity may be correlated to a decrease in the antifungal compounds in the fruit with maturity.     

山东省樱桃主产区果蝇的调查与鉴定

为了解山东省樱桃主产区果蝇的发生情况,本研究选择了山东省主要樱桃产区的7个地点进行调查,并通过形态学特征和分子鉴定法对果蝇的种类进行鉴定。结果发现,山东省樱桃主产区有4种果蝇,通过形态特征与分子鉴定法最终确定4种果蝇,分别为斑翅果蝇Drosophila suzukii、黑腹果蝇D.melanogaster、海德果蝇D.hydei和伊米果蝇D.immigrans。这4种果蝇对樱桃的为害程度与种植地区、果实腐烂程度和樱桃的品种均有关系;莱芜和泰安地区果蝇分别有4种和3种;烟台和威海地区则只有斑翅果蝇和黑腹果蝇2种。烟台地区果蝇为害率最高,且数量最多,其中烟台丁家夼村樱桃为害率高达45.16%,在第2次采集中烟台薛家村每100粒樱桃中斑翅果蝇和黑腹果蝇的数量最多。美早和先锋2个品种樱桃对果蝇的吸引力较强;采摘后期腐烂的果实可吸引大量的果蝇产卵。因此,应对烟台地区进行重点预防、早期防治,并减少美早和先锋品种樱桃在山东省的种植。     

Invasion and colonization of mature apple fruit by Erwinia amylovora tagged with bioluminescence genes

Invasion and colonization of mature apple fruit by a transformant of Erwinia amylovora tagged with bioluminescence genes from Vibrio fischeri was examined. The transformant was deposited on cut surfaces of fruit stems, wounds on the shoulders and calyces, injured fruit-bearing twigs of harvested apple fruit, and cut fruit flesh. After incubation in closed stainless steel or plastic boxes at 25°C, fruit were periodically observed with a two-dimensional luminometer. The presence of the transformant in luminous areas was confirmed by isolating it on selective media. E. amylovora, when deposited in fruit stems: (1) can invade mature as well as immature apple fruit; (2) vertically and horizontally spreads and colonizes along vascular bundles, increasing its population; (3) reaches the calyx end and the flesh just under the exocarp within 3–4 days after inoculation; (4) when deposited on cut fruit flesh, irrespective of its maturity, can easily increase its population and survive 2–4 weeks or more at 25°C; and (5) even at the time of fruit maturation, can migrate within twigs rapidly and reaches the abscission layers between fruit-bearing twigs and fruit stems.     

Distribution of canker lesions on the surface of diseased grapefruit

The objective of this study was to describe and quantify the distribution of citrus canker lesions (caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri) on the surface of grapefruits, and provide evidence for splash‐driven infection of fruit. Based on fruit diameter, each fruit was sliced in four by taking three horizontal planes across the vertical axis such that each horizontal zone (Z1–Z4, from peduncle to flower scar) had the same vertical height. Each zone had equal surface area. Lesion number was counted on each zone of the fruit. Although lesion number among fruits was variable, both lesion number and percentage of total lesions showed a decline from the uppermost zone (lesion number: 10·5, 7·0, 3·4 and 2·4; percentage: 44·6, 30·5, 14·4 and 10·5 on Z1–Z4, respectively). General linear modelling (GLM) using a Poisson distribution with a log‐link function demonstrated a significant effect of zone and cultivar on lesion number, and significant differences between all zones and both cultivars. An analysis of covariance showed no effect of lesion number on fruit size, although cultivars differed in total lesion count. Canker‐susceptible citrus fruit is susceptible for a prolonged period after fruit set and minimizing inoculum and reducing wind speed and splash, and use of copper sprays during that period, will help reduce disease on fruit, particularly on the upper surfaces that appear to be more prone to infection.     

Validation of a geographic weighted regression analysis as a tool for area-wide integrated pest management programs for Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Terceira Island,Azores

Extrapolation from quantitative sampling to the surrounding areas is an essential feature of many aspects of real world applications in pest management decision-making. However, these decisions are only as good as the accuracy of the methods that provided the information. The problem of estimating Mediterranean fruit fly population densities from trap grids is a specific case. The efficiency of three methods to estimate fruit flies trapped per day values for non-sampled areas in Terceira Island is evaluated, the inverse distance weighted, ordinary Kriging and the geographic weighted regression (GWR). Each method has its own specificities and merits. The results demonstrate that the GWR method is capable of estimating hotspots for the next season and can be used to identify ecological corridors over a non-sampled area. The high spatial heterogeneity and topographical conditions present on Terceira Island may explain why a more mathematically complex method is more reliable than simpler methods for use in possible future wide-area control program for medfly.     

Spatial regression analysis of Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Terceira Island,Azores

The fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann is one of the most important threats to the trade of fresh fruits in the world due to its ability to survive in a wide range of hosts and climatic conditions. The main goal of this study is to evaluate if there is any significant relationship between the abundance of wild adults of C. capitata and the spatial characteristics of the location. The ordinary least squares estimation model calculated for each gender cannot provide a satisfactory general explanation for abundance of both genders of wild adults, yet it might generate some hypotheses about wild adult females of C. capitata fruit-seeking behaviour. Results from geographically weighted regression analysis can provide a satisfactory general explanation for abundance of both genders of wild adults. Both methods suggest that males are more dispersed than females, and because of that they might play an important role in scouting the surroundings for additional fruit hosts. The presence of some host-plants, even in places offering less protection (like pasture areas), provides an ecological corridor that supports the spread of wild adults of C. capitata.