Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2006) 121, 261-269

Jaime C. Piñero, Isabel Jácome, Roger Vargas and Ronald J. Prokopy (2006)
Response of female melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, to host-associated visual and olfactory stimuli
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 121 (3), 261-269
Abstract: In a series of studies conducted in Hawaii under seminatural conditions, we quantified the response of sexually mature, host-seeking female melon flies, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to different types of visual and chemical host-associated stimuli with the main aim of developing a monitoring device for females. Experiments were conducted using Tangletrap-coated fruit mimics of either spherical (8 cm diameter) or cylindrical (4.3 cm diameter; 15 cm length) shapes coated with different artificial color pigments both at the ground level and at the tree-canopy level so as to take into account the foraging behavior of adult melon flies. Females were particularly attracted to objects of spherical shape colored either yellow, white, or orange; these three pigments offered the highest reflectance values. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (Cucurbitaceae) odor was more attractive to females than odors of three other cultivated host fruit [zucchini, Cucurbita pepo L. var. medullosa Alef. (Cucurbitaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae); or tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae)] or of ivy gourd [Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt (Cucurbitaceae)], one of the major wild hosts of melon fly in Hawaii. A combination of both visual and olfactory stimuli was needed to elicit high levels of response compared to each stimulus offered alone. We discuss our results in relation to the potential implementation of improved female monitoring and/or attract-and-kill strategies for melon flies in Hawaii.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jaime C. Pinero, Roger I. Vargas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Zeugodacus cucurbitae		U.S.A. (Hawaii)