Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2009) 133, 208-216

Jaime C. Piñero, Ronald F.L. Mau, Grant T. McQuate and Roger I. Vargas (2009)
Novel bait stations for attract-and-kill of pestiferous fruit flies
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 133 (2), 208-216
Abstract: A novel, visually-attractive bait station was developed in Hawaii for application of insecticidal baits against oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (all Diptera: Tephritidae). The bait station developed represents a supernormal visual stimulus of papaya foliage and takes advantage of the flies' strong response to the high light-reflecting properties of yellow color and of their need for shelter, while fully protecting the bait against rainfall. Field studies revealed that the behavioral response of female fruit flies, in particular C. capitata and B. cucurbitae, to yellow-painted bait stations sprayed with GF-120 NF Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait was significantly enhanced compared with similarly sprayed bait stations that mimicked the green color of fully grown papaya leaves. Field studies conducted with B. cucurbitae indicated that the period of bait attractiveness can be extended for at least 1 week after bait application due to the rain-fastness properties of the bait stations and the use of a visually-attractive color. Our studies provide the behavioral basis for the development of improved attract-and-kill bait stations for fruit flies in Hawaii. These devices also provide a standardized way of evaluating bait spray formulations, thus allowing for proper comparisons over time, across species, and among geographical areas.
(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): Grant T. McQuate, Jaime C. Pinero, Roger I. Vargas

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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