Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of initial pH values of 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5 of the attractant (protein bait) Milhocina® and borax (sodium borate) in the field, on the capture of fruit flies in McPhail traps, using 1, 2, 4 and 8 traps per hectare, in order to estimate control thresholds in a Hamlin orange grove in the central region of the state of São Paulo. The most abundant fruit fly species was Ceratitis capitata, comprising almost 99% of the fruit flies captured, of which 80% were females. The largest captures of C. capitata were found in traps baited with Milhocina® and borax at pH 8.5. Captures per trap for the four densities were similar, indicating that the population can be estimated with one trap per hectare in areas with high populations. It was found positive relationships between captures of C. capitata and the number of Hamlin oranges damaged, 2 and 3 weeks after capture. It was obtained equations that correlate captures and damage levels which can be used to estimate control thresholds. The average loss caused in Hamlin orange fruits by C. capitata was 2.5 tons per hectare or 7.5% of production.
Highlights
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the main fruit tree pests in the world
In São Paulo, large populations of C. capitata develops in mature coffee fruits during the autumn-winter period, and these insects may move to citrus and other groves, where they can cause serious damage (SOUZA FILHO et al, 2000; ZUCCHI, 2001; MONTES et al, 2011)
The initial POTENCIAL HIDROGENIÔNICO (pH) of the attractant suspension of Milhocina®+borax influenced the capture of C. capitata flies in a Hamlin orange grove with no fruits (F = 77.26, d.f. = 2; 70, P < 0.01) (Figure 1)
Summary
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the main fruit tree pests in the world. This species was recorded in Brazil at the end of the 19th Century and is presently found in most Brazilian states (ZUCCHI, 2001). In São Paulo, large populations of C. capitata develops in mature coffee fruits during the autumn-winter period, and these insects may move to citrus and other groves, where they can cause serious damage (SOUZA FILHO et al, 2000; ZUCCHI, 2001; MONTES et al, 2011)
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