Environmental Entomology (1996) 25, 1279-1289

Michael H. Kido, Adam Asquith and Roger I. Vargas (1996)
Nontarget insect attraction to methyl eugenol traps used in male annihilation of the Oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in riparian Hawaiian stream habitat
Environmental Entomology 25 (6), 1279-1289
Abstract: This study set out to identify insect species associated with the riparian habitat of Hawaiian streams that were susceptible to deployment of the plant kairomone, methyl eugenol, used in male annihilation of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Sixteen nontarget insect species (13 Diptera and 3 Coleoptera) were found to be attracted to methyl eugenol traps deployed in riparian habitat in a variety of stream ecotypes at various elevations. Only 2 Diptera attracted to the lure, Drosophila perissopoda Hardy and D. crucigera Grimshaw (Drosophilidae), were Hawaiian endemics, whereas the remainder were alien (nonnative) species. Alien drosophilids Drosophila immigrans Sturtevant and D. suzukii (Matsumura) and alien Desmometopa tarsalis Loew (Milichiidae) were the most abundant species captured in traps overall. Both plant-associated as well as carrion-associated species were captured in methyl eugenol traps. It is suggested that the fruiting cycle of wild guava, Psidium guajava and P. cattelianum, in mountainous and lowland areas of Hawaii is an important mechanism driving the population dynamics of insects attracted to methyl eugenol traps. Host plant demographics and species similarities in ecological requirements are important factors influencing the occurrences of susceptible species between sites. Seasonal periods of low oriental fruit fly numbers coupled with low abundances of nontarget insects create windows of opportunity during which male annihilation procedures with methyl eugenol can achieve maximum effect with minimal environmental risk. Environmentally acceptable use patterns for methyl eugenol can be developed through the modification of delivery systems and adaptation of these systems in surgical procedures tailored to specific ecotypes. These procedures can then provide Hawaiian agriculture with badly needed farm-level or area-wide control of destructive oriental fruit flies.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Roger I. Vargas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
health/environmental effects of pesticides

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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