Host plants of the carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Suriname, South America

Abstract

Fruits were collected over a 12-year period to determine the host status for the Carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock, and other tephritid species in Suriname, South America. Over 11,000 fruit samples were collected from many locations and the total of 20 fruit species were recorded as host, ranging in infestation from heavy to occasional. Over 650 samples of 188 fruit species, including many wild species, were collected and no fruit flies were reared. This work, which started specifically to obtain information on the Carambola fruit fly, resulted also in detailed information regarding the importance, distribution and host preferences of several Anastrepha species, and the status of fruit fly parasitoids.