Behaviour of Anastrepha Ludens, A. Obliqua and A. Serpentina (dipterartephritidae) on a Wild Mango Tree (mangifera Indica) Harbouring Three McPhail Traps

We studied the behaviour of three Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) that were attracted to protein hydrolysate in glass McPhail traps, hung on an 8 m tall wild mango tree, Mangifera indie a at three different heights. Out of 665 flies that landed on the exterior of the trap only 31 % were caught. Females represented 60.2 % of all flies trapped. The intermediate trap hung at 5m caught the most flies (57.5%). We observed a great deal of feeding activity (on trap, leaves, branches and fruit) including regurgitation and reingestion of liquid food droplets. When not on the trap surface, flies were more commonly seen on leaves than on branches and fruits. Inter- and intraspecific encounters between all Anastrepha spp. and both sexes were commonly recorded. Males were observed calling alone or in leks. All leks were formed on leaves and on two occasions included individuals of two species. Our observations suggested that the McPhail traps attracted different Anastrepha spp. with varying degrees of intensity.