Field efficacy of commercial food attractants for Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) mass trapping and their impacts on non-target organisms in peach orchards

Abstract

The use of mass trapping in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) schemes targeting Ceratitis capitata Wiedmann (Diptera: Tephritidae) has proved to be efficient. However, there has been much disagreement regarding the potential undesirable impacts of such attractant on non-target organisms. In this study, two years field trials were conducted in two peach orchards to assess the efficacy of two synthetic food-based baits from different origins (Starce® from vegetal origin and Ceratrap® from animal origin) used in mass trapping versus insecticide bait sprays. The selectivity of both attractants was evaluated toward target and non-target insects. Results showed that mass trapping with CeraTrap® and Starce® attractants as well as insecticide treatments ensured low populations of C. capitata as confirmed by a reduced number of trapped adults not exceeding the economic threshold (3 males/trap/day). In all cases, the average of fruit damage did not differ between mass trapping and bait spray treatments, but it was two times less in the center than in the perimeter of each treated plot. CeraTrap® was found to be the most selective toward non-target insect groups. Although CeraTrap® and Starce® attractants exhibit the same efficacy compared to insecticide treatments, mass trapping should be favored as an alternative to chemical treatments because it does not leave insecticide residues in fruit and is safer for applicators and environment.