Adding Methyl-Substituted Ammonia Derivatives to a Food-Based Synthetic Attractant on Capture of the Mediterranean and Mexican Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Field trials were conducted in Guatemala to determine the effect of addition of methyl-substituted ammonia derivatives (methylamine, dimethylamine or trimethylamine) to a food-based synthetic attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew). Addition of trimethylamine to traps baited with ammonium acetate and putrescine increased capture of C. capitata , but not A. ludens , over traps baited with ammonium acetate and putrescine alone, in all tests. Addition of methylamine or dimethylamine had no effect on either species. More C. capitata were captured in adhesive paper cylindrical traps baited with tested combinations of synthetic lures than in McPhail traps baited with liquid protein bait (torula yeast solution). In tests conducted during the dry season in Guatemala, more female A. ludens were captured in liquid protein-baited McPhail traps than in adhesive paper cylindrical traps baited with ammonium acetate, putrescine, and trimethylamine. However, during the rainy season, adhesive paper cylindrical traps baited with ammonium acetate, putrescine, and trimethylamine captured significantly more female A. ludens than liquid protein-baited McPhail traps. No C. capitata were captured in traps baited with trimethylamine alone, indicating that trimethylamine is a potent synergist to ammonium acetate and putrescine for the capture of C. capitata .