Field evaluation of a phototoxic dye, phloxine B, against three species of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Moreno D. S., Celedonio H., Mangan R. L., Zavala J. L., Montoya P.
Author Affiliation: Crop Quality and Fruit Insects Research, Building 200, Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center, USDA-ARS, 2413 East Highway 83, Weslaco, TX 78596, USA.
Journal of Economic Entomology 94 : 1419-1427
Abstract : The xanthene dye phloxine B (D&C Red #28) bait was sprayed against fruit flies in mango orchards in Tapachula, Chaipas, Mexico in 1996 and 1997. The flies used for testing were Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, West Indian fruit fly, A. obliqua, and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. Results indicate that the toxic efficacy of phloxine B against these fruit flies is as good as that of malathion-bait sprays. Results also indicate that type of protein used with phloxine B can dramatically influence its efficacy. Hydrolysed proteins of maize origin, Mazoferm 802 and Nutriplus, and one from microbial origin, Coltec yeast broth, were best. Phloxine B-bait applications as complete coverage or alternate swaths reduced fly populations as well as 19.5 or 9.8% (AI) malathion-Captor 300. Applications of phloxine B bait at concentrations of 0.12% phloxine B reduced populations as well as those applied at 0.48% (AI). The fruit fly parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata [Biosteres longicaudatus] was adversely affected when exposed to phloxine B-Nutriplus bait but not when exposed to the other proteins.