Dynamics of the Population of Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae), Tirana, Albania

Mediterranean fruit-fly, medfly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) record was kept in 8 medfly host-fruit trees, from April 2015 till December 2017, Tirana, Albania. McPhail yellow bottom traps (one per tree) with Biolure (3 separate dispensers of ammonium acetate, trimethylamine, and putrescine). Every container was labeled with: trap number, trap type, collection date, Station ID, location, last date serviced, and host. In laboratory we have done the identification and data analysis using the population index FTD (fruit fly/trap/day), the area is at high risk when FTD >1. On the average (medflies per tree-trap per day between December and early May) 1 >FTD, except from June till October high records were detected. End-May till June records up to over 2.1 flies were observed (the first population peak in the year 2015&2016), while in September-October records up to 18.8 flies were observed (highest population peak in the year 2016). In the different years of the observation period, the peaks of the 1st flight were recorded in a range from mid-May- mid-June; peaks of 2nd flight were recorded from mid-July to end of August; peaks of 3rd flight were recorded from end of August to mid-October; An increase of medfly catches was always detected following Biolure dispensers renewal. In this study the medfly adult population, monitored by McPhail Biolure baited traps, is studied throughout the year in a typical suburban back-yard with medfly host-fruit trees.