Biocontrol and Circadian Rhythms of Medfly larvae emergence and Monomorium subopacum ant foraging along the fruiting season in the Argan forest (Morocco)

Abstract

To illuminate biocontrol traits between the Medfly pest and its predator Monomorium subopacum ant, we assessed the daily rhythm of ant foraging and Medfly larva emergence from host fruits in the argan forest. M. subopacum foraging activity and Ceratitis capitata larvae emergence were monitored in Essaouira argan forest during the fruiting season. Behavioral activities were quantified, and the circadian rhythms of the two species were determined. M. subopacum diel foraging was exhibited in a circadian bimodal rhythm with a principal morning peak and a secondary crepuscular one. Larvae’s emergence showed unimodal rhythmicity with a single morning peak with 86.42% of daily emergences. The studied behaviors of the two species showed a clear synchronization during their principal activity peaks, which suggests the importance of circadian timing in the temporal partitioning, and chance of encounters between the two species. Besides their adaptive and fundamental ecological values, the understanding of biological rhythms that govern the time of behavioral interactions and predict encounter schedules between pests and their natural enemies may provide a novel efficient tool in sustainable pest management.

Keywords:

• Biological rhythm
• pest management
• Argan forest
• Mediterranean fruit fly
• Monomorium subopacum ant

Acknowledgements

Authors thank our friends Abdellah Louali and Abdelali Habhoub for the logistical help during the fieldwork, and the local population at the Boutazarte site for their general support. This work was carried out with the authorization of the Directorate of Water and Forests of Essaouira Province.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.