Characterization and Preferred Oviposition sites of Atherigona orientalis (Schiner) on Nigerian Pepper Fruits

The pepper fruitfly, Atherigona orientalis (Schin.) has been considered and accepted as a potentially serious and important pest of pepper fruits in Nigeria. Females of A. orientalis oviposited on fruits of pepper (Capsicum species) both in the laboratory and in the field. Oviposition commenced about 2 weeks after fruiting and increased with rainfall. Six pepper cultivars were used for this study and parts of pepper fruits utilized as oviposition sites were calyx, grooves, blossom ends and receptacles in most of the cultivars. Records of the number of eggs isolated from the aforementioned portions of the fruits were made. Oviposition response of A. orientalis females was different on the four parts of pepper fruits. Statistical analysis showed significant differences on the number of eggs deposited on the calyx, grooves, blossom ends and receptacle of the six pepper cultivars. On sites that were preferred for oviposition, most of the eggs were collected from the calyx (40-75%) followed by the grooves. Significantly lower numbers were collected from the blossom ends or receptacles depending on cultivars.