Pupation sites of the pepper fruit fly, Atherigona orientalis (Schiner) (Diptera: Muscidae)
DOI:10.36108/NJE/8991/51.0130
OGBALU, O. K
Fruits of five local pepper varieties popularly known in the eastern States as Nsukka yellow, atarugu, Tatashi (all of Capsicum annum), Bird’s eye chilli and Local medium red (Ogoni pepper) both of C. frutescens were evaluated for their choice as pupation substrates/sites by the pepper fruitfly, Atherigona orientalis Schiner, a dipterous pest of pepper fruits in Nigeria. Observations revealed that pupation occurred both within and outside pepper fruits both in the laboratory and in the field. High significant differences existed in the number of third instar larvae that pupated within the fruits of different pepper varieties in 1995 and 1996. There was gross significant difference in the number of pupae within Nsukka yellow (this variety recorded the highest number of pupae both in the laboratory and field and in the field) and in Bird’s eye chilli variety which recorded no pupa in both laboratory and field conditions. Further analysis using t-test also ‘revealed high significant differences the larvae that pupated within fruits and those that pupated outside fruits in both laboratory and field conditions in 1995 and 1996. A conclusion was drawn that the pupation sites of A. orientalis occurs mostly within pepper fruits in both laboratory and field conditions.