EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 06 - 2000 Num. article: 2000/109

Experiments on different types of traps to capture Bactrocera dorsalis


In 1997 and 1998, experiments were conducted in a guava orchard in Hawaii (US) to compare the effectiveness of Ladd and McPhail traps to capture Bactrocera dorsalis (EPPO A1 quarantine pest). Ladd traps, which have been essentially designed for Rhagoletis pomonella, mimicks fruit and foliage (flat yellow polyethylene panel with a red sphere), and attracts females searching for oviposition sites. McPhail traps were baited with a liquid hydrolysed protein bait which attracts fruit flies searching for proteins. Results showed that the attractiveness of both types of traps varied over the seasons. In 1997 and 1998, McPhail traps were much more attractive to B. dorsalis than Ladd traps in spring. In addition, greater numbers of immature females were captured in McPhail traps. The authors concluded that McPhail traps are a better option for growers than Ladd traps to monitor and control populations of B. dorsalis in guava orchards in spring. However, further studies are needed for better understanding of fluctuations of B. dorsalis populations over the seasons and to test other types of traps with different combinations of attractants.

Sources

Cornelius, M.L.; Duan, J.J.; Messing, R.H. (1999) Capture of oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) by protein-baited traps and fruit-mimicking visual traps in a guava orchard.
Environmental Entomology, 28(6), 1140-1144.