A Novel Composite as a Dispenser for Methyl Eugunol to Attract the Peach Fruit Fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) Males under Field Conditions

Abstract

Peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered one of the most economic important insect pest for several kinds of fruit species. Present work seeks to explore for the preparation of a novel composite based on petroleum coke with polyethylene, oleic acid and natural rubber as a dispenser for methyl eugunol. This target aims to get efficient dispenser composite to attract PFF males under field conditions in comparison with standard liquid lure dispenser (cotton wick). In addition to favorably regulate the release rate of methyl eugenol (ME) to extend its effectiveness and stability for PFF attraction in comparison with standard lure dispenser (cotton wick) by using Jackson traps under field conditions. The obtained results showed that Composite prolonged the length of effective field ME duration to 18 weeks or longer; while, the length of effective field duration of cotton wick dispenser was 8 weeks only. The ability of cotton wick dispenser to attract PFF males was higher than that of Composite during the first six weeks (with no significant differences between the two dispensers in some of these weeks). On contrary, from the 7th week till the end of the experiments, Composite dispenser showed significantly higher ability to attract PFF males. Efficacy from Composite dispenser did not significantly affected by the time passed after hanging traps; while, ME released from cotton wick dispenser decreased significantly by the time passed. On another hand, the efficacy of Composite dispenser did not significantly affected by air temperature degrees; while, the efficacy of cotton wick dispenser was significantly affected by air temperature degrees. Therefore, it could be concluded that the prepared composite may efficiently replace the cotton wick and could be applied at large scale in integrated pest management programs for PFF.