Effectiveness of plastic matrix lures and traps against Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera cucurbitae in Hawaii

Abstract

Trapping trials were conducted in two locations on the island of Hawaii with plastic-matrix formulations of methyl eugenol (ME) (1-2-dimethoxy-4-allylbenzene) and cuelure (CL) [4-(p-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone] in traps with or without a toxicant (2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, DDVP) against wild fly populations of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) respectively. Both 5 g disks and 10 g cones of ME and 2 g plugs of CL caught flies for >9 months which varied relative to the population fluctuations. In all of these trials a one-way entrance design trap caught more flies than the toxicant-baited trap. The similar-sized entrance holes (0.70 cm) of the latter may have slowed the dispersal of the toxicant vapour, thus causing flies to be repelled or killed outside the entrance to the trap when DDVP vapour was evolving at a maximum rate. The effect decreased as the toxicant aged. One-way entrance traps are appropriate where toxicant traps are not allowed (e.g. organic farms), present a health hazard (e.g. yards with children), or would need to be replaced more frequently than lures. The results of these studies are discussed in relation to areawide fruit fly suppression programs where large populations of these flies are persistent, as well as to detection programs in areas where fruit flies have not established.