Population fluctuation of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Northeast Brazil

Fruit flies are important agricultural pests of cultivated fruit trees, which makes it necessary to conduct studies that analyze the population fluctuations of these insects, whether in agricultural or natural environments. This study investigated the diversity and population fluctuations of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Mata do Pau-Ferro State Park, Areia, Paraíba. Thirty-two McPhail traps containing food attractants were installed in closed and open canopy areas, positioned 2 and 4 m high, between February 2023 and January 2024. We evaluated the population fluctuations of the species and correlated their occurrence through Pearson's correlation analysis with the climatic factors of rainfall, temperature, and humidity. A total of 207 specimens were collected, with a predominance of females (87%), and ten species of Anastrepha were identified, of which Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) was the most abundant (38.64%), followed by A. fraterculus (Wiedemann) (12.07%) and A. bahiensis Lima (11.12%). The highest number of species was recorded in the months of January and July. The closed canopy area presented greater species richness and abundance (66.82% of individuals). A. bahiensis was more captured between September and November in traps positioned at 4 meters. In the closed canopy, there was a positive correlation between A. obliqua, A. matertela Zucchi and A. barbiellinii Lima and temperature, whereas in the closed canopy, A. obliqua and A. bahiensis demonstrated a strong and significant positive correlation with precipitation. The results highlight the importance of systematic monitoring in natural areas to support integrated pest management in adjacent commercial orchards.