Synergistic and inhibitory interactions between methyl eugenol and cue lure influence trap catch of male fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and B. cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Shelly T. E., Pahio E., Edu J.
Author Affiliation: USDA-APHIS, 41-650 Ahiki Street, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA.
Florida Entomologist 87 : 481-486
Abstract : Males of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis and melon fly, B. cucurbitae, are attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) and cue lure (CL), respectively. These lures, when mixed with a toxicant, are widely used to detect and suppress populations of these agricultural pests. A study was conducted in Oahu, Hawaii, USA, from January to November 2003, to assess the effectiveness of traps baited with both ME and CL (mixed or presented separately on adjacent wicks) and traps baited with a single lure but placed in the same tree as a trap containing the alternate lure (one or 3 m apart). Jackson traps were placed in a mixed orchard containing mango, guava, orange, lime and breadfruit trees and the numbers of released (marked) and wild males were recorded. Traps baited with ME and CL (mixed or separate) captured significantly fewer B. dorsalis males than traps baited with ME alone. CL placed one m from ME-baited traps in the same tree also reduced the number of B. dorsalis males captured. Conversely, ME appeared to increase capture of B. cucurbitae males, and traps baited with the 2 lures (mixed but not separate) captured significantly more released males than traps baited with CL alone. Also, ME placed one m (but not 3 m) from CL-baited traps increased the trap catch of released B. cucurbitae males.