Two low-cost food attractants for capturing Toxotrypana curvicauda (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the field.

Abstract

Adults of the papaya fruit fly, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker, living in wild vegetation in Yautepec, Morelos, Mexico, were captured using McPhail traps baited with pineapple juice or brown sugar. Maximum capture peaks occurred during August and November in the afternoon. Baits were most effective when aged over a 4-d period. Traps baited with brown sugar captured the highest number of adults, and both baits were more attractive to females than males. Potential use of these baits for pest management and research is discussed, considering that this is the first report of pineapple juice being attractive to the papaya fruit fly.