THE WESTERN CHERRY FRUIT FLY, RHAGOLETIS INDIFFERENS (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE): 1. DISTRIBUTION OF THE DIAPAUSING PUPAE IN THE SOIL

Abstract

AbstractField studies conducted in cherry orchards of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, indicate that diapausing pupae of the western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, overwinter in the soil at a depth of 1–4 in. Relatively very small numbers of pupae were collected from surface debris and soil samples taken at a depth of 6 in. and below. The number of flies emerging from different soil depths indicated that removal of the top 6 in. of soil caused a 99% reduction in adult emergence, while the removal of the top 1 in. of soil had no effect.