Journal of Pest Science (2018) 91, 907-917

Mabrouka Ghabbari, Salvatore Guarino, Virgilio Caleca, Filippo Saiano, Milko Sinacori, Nuray Baser, Jouda Mediouni-Ben Jemâa and Gabriella Lo Verde (2018)
Behavior-modifying and insecticidal effects of plant extracts on adults of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera Tephritidae)
Journal of Pest Science 91 (2), 907-917
Abstract: The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata is a major pest of fruit orchards worldwide. In order to develop control methods based on natural products, particularly required in organic farming, a laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the response of adults to leaf extracts from four plant species: Ruta graveolens, Eriobotrya japonica, Rubus ulmifolius, and Ficus carica. Air-dried leaf powders were subjected to an ethanolic cold extraction. Chemical composition was assessed by GC/MS analysis. Extracts were tested in laboratory bioassays to assess the electroantennographic (EAG) response, attraction/repellence toward ovipositing females, and induced mortality toward adults. Among the extracts tested, only R. graveolens elicited significant differences compared to the control in all the bioassays. This extract, whose main volatile compounds were 2-nonanone and 2-undecanone (45% of the total), recorded the greatest EAG response, and stimulated a positive oviposition response compared to the control. Ruta graveolens extract elicited a significant insecticidal activity, confirmed to be dose-dependent. LD50 and LD90 concentrations were 3.64 and 6.01% (v/v), respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting a single plant extract, from R. graveolens, acting as attractant and oviposition stimulant, and at the same time having insecticidal properties toward C. capitata adults. The incorporation of such extract or its components into food bait could be useful in medfly "attract and kill" control strategies.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ceratitis capitata