Response of Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) Males to Different Amounts of Trimedlure under Field Conditions

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wied), is ranked as the most economically important fruit fly worldwide. The trials were carried out at Dakahlia Governorate (Aga district) in navel and Valencia orange orchards. Evaluation periods extended to eight weeks in two experimental sites. This study was carried out to evaluate the field efficiency of five amounts of trimedlure (TML) (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 cm3) mounted inside traps to determine the optimal one that could be used for detection, survey and monitoring the C. capitata male flies in integrated pest control programs. The obtained results pointed out that the TML could be used successfully by 1.5 or 2.0 cm3 and consequently reduce the economic costs of the pest control.