Rakshak methyl eugenol traps: an ideal tools developed by Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapou to minimize the mango fruit fly incidence (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) during unseasonal rains.
Munj A. Y., Salvi B. R., Jalgaonkar V. N., Damodhar V. P., Narangalkar A. L.
Author Affiliation: Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurle, Dist. Sindhudurg, M.S. - 416 516, India.
Annals of Plant Physiology 27 : 54-57
Abstract : A study conducted in Vengurle, Maharashtra, India, during 2001-08 to investigate the efficacy of methyl eugenol Rakshak trap in controlling the mango fruit fly (B. dorsalis) during unseasonal rains (URs). The fruit fly trap was a device made up of plastic in which 3 ml methyl eugenol was used as attractant to male flies. Methyl eugenol was replaced every 1.5 months. During 2002, URs of 98 mm were received during 16th meteorological week (MW), which increased the fruit fly population (FFP) during subsequent MWs from 324 to 524 fruit flies per trap (FF/trap). Another span of URs occurred during 19th and 20th MW which enhanced the FFP from 524 to 1911 FF/trap during subsequent MWs. During 2003, a trace amount of rain was received during 12th, 14th, 17th and 20th MWs, which increased the FFP from 153.50 to 1909.25 FF/trap. During 2004, URs of 54.6, 38.2 and 21.2 mm were received during 19th, 20th and 21 MWs, which increased the FFP from 321.75 to 1508 FF/trap. During 2005, URs of 10 and 32 mm were received during 15th and 16th MWs, which increased the FFP gradually from 135.25 to 570.50 FF/trap at 19th MW. URs of 40 and 8 mm were received during 12th and 13th MWs of 2008, which increased the FFP from 34.25 to 427.50 FF/trap during 17th MW. There was a positive correlation between the URs and the FFP. The URs during the fruit growth period increased the fruit fly incidence in mango. To overcome this problem, it is advised to use the Rakshap pheromone trap at 4 traps per hectare during the fruit growth to harvesting period.