Effect of Traps Directions on the Density of the Peach Fruit Fly, Bactrocera zonata in Gezira State, Sudan

In Sudan, the production of horticultural crops is affected by fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) that may play a major role in reducing production and limiting the exportation capabilities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of trap direction on the density of peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata in Gezira State, Sudan during 2016/2017 growing season. Three locations were selected in the study area and three sites were selected at each location. An orchard was randomly selected at each site and five directions for each orchard were determined. Methyl Eugenol trap was used to estimate the seasonal abundance of the fly among locations, sites and directions. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and regression analysis. There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in the density of the fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata) among the directions in Alkamleen location. However, there were no significant differences in the density in Wad Medani and Elhagabdallah, Gezira State locations during the 2016/2017 growing season. In general, the highest density of the insect (13.14 insects per trap) was recorded in the west direction followed by the east direction (12.74 insects per trap), south direction (10.39 insects per trap) and center direction (10.11 insects per trap), whereas the lowest density (8.74 insects per trap) of the insect was recorded in the north direction. These findings could be useful in monitoring fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) in the agro‐ecological system of Gezira State, Sudan. Keywords: Abundance, Bactrocera, direction, methyl eugenol, fruit fly