Seasonality in the occurrence of the Mediterranean fruit fly [Ceratitis capitata (Wied.)] in the north‐east of Spain

Since the turn of the century, the populations of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) [Ceratitis capitata (Wied.)] (Dipt., Tephritidae) has steadily increase in the orchards of the Girona Province in the north‐east of Spain, a change which has brought with it considerable damage to fruit grown in that area. In a survey set up to detect the population dynamics of this insect, a large number of Maxitrap® traps containing food‐based lures were hung strategically in peach (224, 208 and 210 traps in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively), Gala apple (154 traps in 2007) and Fuji apple orchards (97 traps in 2007) in the two main areas where these fruit trees were grown. The results showed a seasonal variation in the population dynamics of the medfly with a peak in September–October, and with adult activity ending in December or January, independently of the kind of host studied. The results take into account the climatic conditions prevailing in each year.