In order to characterize the ecosystems of fruit trees of the West Region of Santa Catarina State in relation to the Tephritidae species from twelve different fruit species grown in orchards located in four counties (Chapecó, Cunha Porã, São Carlos and Xanxerê), McPhail traps, baited with glucose 10%, were used to sample flies, from October 1998 to September 2000. To characterize the faunistic fruit flies populations of each county, the abundance index, constancy, dominance and frequency of fruit flies population were analyzed. A total of 8,393 specimens of fruit flies were collected, belonging to 20 species in seven genera. In Chapecó, 17 fruit flies were sampled, corresponding to an index of diversity of 2.0, followed by Cunha Porã with ten species and an index of 1.5. In Xanxerê the index was 1.1 to eight species. The smallest index was found in São Carlos (0.9), to seven species. Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) was found accidental in almost all the orchards, with exception to one orange orchard in São Carlos, where it was accessory. Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) was the predominant species in the four counties.
Insecta; diversity; ecology; trapping
