Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the oviposition preferences of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) for unripc apple fruits. Fruits were evaluated in the “J” state (30 days after the full bloom) of the Royal Gala. Fuji Supreme, and Catarina varieties and of the M-11/00 selection, collected in an organic apple orchard at EPAGRI Experimental Station in Cacador, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Two hundred fruits of each genotype were collected. From 100 of the fruits. 48 were separated and standardized by diameter and mass. In the laboratory, in a free choice arena, a fruit of each genotype was offered simultaneously to a female of A. fraterculus and inspection, puncture, and ovipositor dragging behaviors were observed for 15 minutes. Punctured fruits were kept in plastic containers containing sand for pupae registration. To verify the inspection and puncture preferences of A. fraterculus, the 100 remaining fruits were used for physicochemical analyses, including: titratable acidity, total soluble solids, pulp firmness, starch index. and epidermal background color. The most frequently observed behavioral category was inspection (100%). More punctures by A. fraterculus females were seen in the Royal Gala and Catarina varieties; however, larval development was not observed in any genotype. No differences were observed between genotypes in mean values of titratable acidity, total soluble solids. or epidermal background color. Thus, the physicochemical characteristics observed did not influence preference for apple genotypes in A. fraterctilus.
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