Evaluation of a Single-Matrix Food Attractant Tephritid Fruit Fly Bait Dispenser for Use in Federal Trap Detection Programs

Abstract

The use of synthetic food attractant lures for Tephritid fruit fly trapping is presently being incorporated into U.S. state and federal detection programs. These lures consist of ammonium acetate, trimethylamine hydrochloride and putrescine contained in individual packages that are attached to the inside (top) of plastic McPhail-type traps. Two chemical packets are placed in the traps for Anastrepha spp., where as three are attached for Ceratitis capitata. This report presents data on trap captures of the above species comparing the current (individually packaged) baits with a novel dispenser containing either two or three components into a single matrix. Tests were conducted in Florida and Hawaii using hand release of sterile Caribbean fruit fly (Caribfly), Anastrepha suspensa and the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (medfly)/ aerially released medfly/ and wild caribfly populations (Florida) and wild medfly (Hawaii). Observations in the Florida study indicated that minor formulation adjustment should increase the efficacy of the Anastrepha attractant, whereas less of an adjustment may be required to capture Ceratitis capitata. Results in open field tests in Hawaii indicated that the three-component synthetic food attractant in a single cone unit was just as effective in capturing wild male and female Medflies as the same food attractants in individual packets. The single matrix has some advantages in handling and ease-of-use, especially with the Multilure trap.