Capture Of Flies Research Articles

Comparison of home-made and commercial baits for trapping Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blueberry crops

Abstract Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a worldwide invasive pest. In Mexico, this species attacks various soft berries, plum, and guava. Currently, D. suzukii is monitored using traps baited with various attractants. Nevertheless, previous reports have shown that the performance of attractants may vary from one place to another. Ideally, the attractant used by growers should be as effective, long-lasting, easy to maintain and deploy, and inexpensive as possible. In this study, we compared the performance of home-made and commercial lures in capturing D. suzukii in blueberry crops in Guanajuato and Michoacán, Mexico. We also evaluated whether the capture of D. suzukii using odor-baited traps was enhanced by the incorporation of visual cues. Overall, traps baited with Z-Kinol®, fermented berries (blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry) alone or blended performed better in capturing D. suzukii flies than fermented banana, apple cider vinegar (ACV), and FLYBUSTER® Powder. The capture of flies increased by 29, 31, and 38 % when a yellow card was included in traps baited with Z-Kinol®, fermented blueberry juice, and fermented raspberry juice, respectively. The volatile compounds of fermented berry juices, identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, consisted mainly of esters, particularly ethyl acetate and isopentyl acetate. In brief, our results suggest that traps baited with fermented berries can be used for monitoring and mass trapping of D. suzukii populations in blueberry crops in Mexico.

Efficacy of alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast for monitoring Anastrepha spp.

AbstractAnastrepha fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are important pests of several crops in the Americas. Alkaline hydrolysis of proteins represents a potential source of novel attractants. Previous studies revealed a higher response by Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) to alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast compared with other attractants. Under field conditions, captures of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Anastrepha ludens (Loew), and Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) were significantly higher in traps baited with alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast than in traps baited with acid hydrolyzed protein (Captor) + borax. Fly attraction to alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast varied with species but was higher in the 1st week and decreased after 2 or 3 weeks of use in the field. The release of ammonia gas from alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast and CeraTrap was reduced after 3 weeks, but CeraTrap remained effective in the capture of flies whereas alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast did not. No improvement in fly captures was observed for aged alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast when 1% ammonium acetate was added to traps. The addition of propylene glycol or benzalkonium chloride did not improve trap captures over time. Although CeraTrap has advantages in attractiveness and durability, the attraction, simplicity, and low cost make alkaline hydrolyzed torula yeast a promising attractant when compared with the standard Captor + borax in short‐term monitoring programs targeted at Anastrepha pests.

Sticky traps and water pan traps to monitor Delia planipalpis (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), an emerging pest of broccoli in Mexico

The radish fly, Delia planipalpis (Meigen), is an emerging pest that infests broccoli in Mexico. Females oviposit near the stem of broccoli plants or in the inflorescence. Effective monitoring systems are necessary for the development of integrated pest management programs against this insect. Laboratory and field experiments were performed to determine the fly's responses to stick traps and water pan traps. Both yellow and blue sticky traps captured significantly more males than females. Yellow traps captured higher numbers of D. planipalpis than blue traps, but with a lower capture of Delia platura (Stein) and other non-target insects. Sticky traps or yellow water pan traps captured similar numbers of D. planipalpis in broccoli crops, but water pan traps captured significantly more females than sticky traps. The addition of the host attractant allyl isothiocyanate significantly increased the capture of flies when used in sticky traps but not in water pan traps. Sticky traps or water pan traps could be used for surveillance of D. planipalpis. Water pan traps require more servicing time as specimens need to be dried before identification. In contrast, sticky traps allow rapid identification of insects, but some insects become damaged on the sticky surface.

Blueberries infected with the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum fioriniae release odors that repel Drosophila suzukii.

Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a serious pest of thin-skinned fruits. Alternative methods to control this pest are needed to reduce insecticide use, including new repellents. Previous research demonstrated that D. suzukii adults use odor cues to avoid blueberries infected with the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum fioriniae, which causes the disease anthracnose. To identify novel D. suzukii repellents, we investigated the volatile emission from experimentally-infected fruit, which were inoculated with C. fioriniae isolates in the laboratory, and from field-collected fruit, which were naturally infected and harvested from a field. We then tested the pathogen-induced volatiles on D. suzukii adult behavior. Volatile emission was similar between all five C. fioriniae strains, with good agreement between experimentally-infected and field-collected berries. In total, 14 volatiles were found to be more abundant in infected versus uninfected fruit headspace. In multiple-choice bioassays, nine of the 14 volatiles elicited repellency responses from adult D. suzukii. These nine volatiles were further evaluated in dual choice assays, where all nine reduced fly capture by 43-96% compared to the control. The most repellent compounds tested were the esters ethyl butanoate and ethyl (E)-but-2-enoate, which were more or equally repellent to the known D. suzukii repellents 1-octen-3-ol, geosmin, and 2-pentylfuran. Dose-response assays identified concentration-dependent effects on D. suzukii repellency and oviposition when applied individually and consistent aversion observed across doses of a 1:1 blend. We report two repellents from C. fioriniae-infected blueberries that could be useful semiochemicals for the behavioral manipulation of D. suzukii in the field. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are effective and useful for sand fly ecoepidemiology studies in an Amazonian environment

One strategy to identify transmission foci is based on vector monitoring, and efficient methods are important for vector control. Our study evaluated different light sources (red, green, ultraviolet, blue, and incandescent light) to capture sand fly in Porto Velho, Brazil. We also evaluated Leishmania and blood meal sources in females. A total of 1,943 individuals were identified in 45 species level-taxa, with Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira) (n = 364), Nyssomyia antunesi (n = 241), Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira) (n = 222), and Psychodopygus davisi (Root) (n = 148) being the most abundant. Incandescent light captured most individuals (n = 589), followed by blue (n = 471), green (n = 452), ultraviolet (n = 281) and red (n = 150). No significant difference was observed between the species composition and lights (PERMANOVA: Pseudo F = 1.29, p = 0.14, NMDS: Stress 0.18). The Shannon and Simpson indices demonstrated a high diversity captured using all lights. Our data demonstrated that LEDs are alternative devices for sand fly capture, with blue and green LEDs presenting similar results to incandescent light. 53 pools were analyzed, only one pool was positive for kDNA and hsp70 targets [Nyssomyia fraihai (Martins, Falão & Silva)] and identified as Endotrypanum spp., suggesting that other trypanosomatids may circulate in the locality. Choloepus hoffmanni (two-toed sloth) Peters, Homo sapiens Linnaeus, Proechimys gardneri (Gardner's spiny rat) Da Silva, and Tamandua tetradactyla (lesser anteater) (Linnaeus) were blood meal sources identified in females, increasing the knowledge about sources used by these insects.

Addition of Ammonium Acetate to Protein-Borax Baited Traps Does Not Improve Attraction of Anastrepha obliqua or Anastrepha serpentina (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Ammonia is considered a key component in the attraction of tephritid flies to protein-based lures. The addition of ammonium acetate to improve hydrolyzed protein-borax mixtures used to monitor tephritids has not been evaluated, although it has improved attraction to toxic baits. The presence of ammonium acetate crystals in a ventilated tube inside a trap containing hydrolyzed protein + borax, did not improve the capture of Anastrepha obliqua or Anastrepha serpentina flies in field experiments when compared with hydrolyzed protein + borax alone. In contrast, the addition of 1% ammonium acetate into the drowning solution of a hydrolyzed protein + borax mixture resulted in significantly reduced captures of both pests. Laboratory tests indicated that the emission of ammonia gas was increased 1.6–4.5-fold from traps that included ammonium acetate. These results confirm the hypothesis that a higher release of ammonia does not improve the attraction of tephritids when protein-derived odors are also present.

Entomological study in an anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in Morocco: Fauna survey, Leishmania infection screening, molecular characterization and MALDI‐TOF MS protein profiling of relevant Phlebotomus species

In Morocco, leishmaniases are a major public health problem due to their genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious disease caused by various species of Leishmania and transmitted typically by bite of phlebotomine sand flies. This study identifies sand fly fauna in Ibaraghen village, province of Azilal, which is a focus of CL, by combination of morphological and molecular methods (sequencing of COI gene, MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling). Nested-kDNA PCR was used to detect and identify Leishmania species within potential vector species. 432 CDC light traps were placed at different heights above ground level at four capture sites during a whole year. Traps at 1.5m above the ground yielded capture of sand flies almost double compared to above ground level (29.33%), while the collection reached 55.09% when the traps were placed 2.5m above ground. A total of 2,830 sand flies were collected, 2,213 unfed specimens were morphologically identified, 990 males (44.73%) and 1,223 females (55.26%) of 13 species; ten Phlebotomus species and three Sergentomyia species. Six species were analysed by MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling (4 Phlebotomus and 2 Sergentomiya species), and their identification was confirmed by COI sequencing. 1,375 unfed females were screened for the presence of Leishmania by nested-kDNA PCR in pools, 11/30 pools of P. sergenti showing a single band of 750bp corresponding to L. tropica. Our results confirm the role of P. sergenti as a proven vector in Azilal focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis; however, the relative abundance of other species known as vectors of Leishmania species emphasizes the risk of introduction of L. infantum and L. major in this province. For the first time in Morocco, a combined approach to identify sand flies by both morphology and molecular methods based on DNA barcoding and MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling was applied.

Does Ammonia Released from Protein-Based Attractants Modulate the Capture of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae)?

Simple SummaryThe West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (family Tephritidae), is an important pest of mango and guava in the Neotropical region. Previous studies have indicated that ammonia is involved in fruit fly attraction to sources of food, particularly if protein is present. In laboratory experiments, flies were attracted to ammonia solutions of increasing concentration. In contrast, fly captures by different protein-based attractants were not related to the quantity of ammonia released by the attractant. Flies also responded differently to yeast suspensions of different alkalinity that released different amounts of ammonia. In field experiments, flies were strongly attracted to yeast in ammonia solutions after 24 h, but this effect did not persist when measured over a 7-day period. We conclude that A. obliqua flies are attracted to ammonia solutions in the absence of other stimuli, but attraction to protein-based attractants or alkaline yeast suspensions is not correlated with the quantity of ammonia released by these substances. Ammonia is an important component in fruit fly attraction, which also seems to depend on the presence of other compounds derived from protein food sources in different stages of decomposition.Tephritid fly responses to food-based attractants involve a complex range of food-derived semiochemicals, including ammonia. We performed laboratory and field experiments to compare the attraction of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) to ammonia with the attraction to commercial food attractants and torula yeast at a range of pHs. A positive correlation was established between the concentration of ammonia in solution (1.5–150 mM ammonium solution) and gaseous ammonia released by bottle-type traps. This resulted in an asymptotic response in captures of A. obliqua flies in traps that released 99–295 µg ammonia/h. Pairwise comparisons in laboratory cages revealed that traps baited with 150 mM ammonia solution captured similar numbers of A. obliqua as traps baited with Biolure 2C, CeraTrap, and hydrolyzed protein products (Captor, Winner, and Flyral) plus borax, despite the low quantities of ammonia (11–56 µg/h) released from these attractants. Subsequent choice experiment captures in traps containing ammonia solution were similar or higher than those of commercial attractants, with the exception of Winner + borax, but were not correlated with the ammonia released from attractants. Captures of flies in traps containing ammonia solution were increased by the addition of 1% torula yeast or torula yeast alkalized with sodium hydroxide or borax despite differences in the quantities of ammonia released. Fly captures generally increased with increasing alkalization of torula yeast (pH 7.5–9.5). In the field, torula yeast in ammonia solution captured similar numbers of A. obliqua flies as Captor + borax when traps were evaluated after 24 h but not after a 7-day trapping period. Traps baited with ammonia solution or Winner + borax were significantly less attractive than Captor + borax in both field experiments. We conclude that A. obliqua flies are attracted to ammonia solutions of increasing concentration, up to 150 mM, in the absence of other stimuli, whereas attraction to commercial attractants or alkalized torula yeast is not correlated with the release of ammonia.

Field Capture of Male Oriental Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Traps Baited with Solid Dispensers Containing Varying Amounts of Methyl Eugenol

Detection of invasive populations of Bactrocera dorsalis relies on traps baited with the male-specific attractant methyl eugenol. Standard protocol involves applying 5 mL of liquid methyl eugenol (1% naled) to a cotton wick, which is then placed inside a Jackson trap. Because of the lure's high volatility, the lure is replaced every 6 wk. Prolonging the lure's longevity would increase trap servicing intervals and reduce associated costs. Conducted at 2 sites in Hawaii, the present study investigated the performance of weathered solid dispensers containing 3, 6, or 10 g of methyl eugenol, deployed with solid insecticidal strips, relative to freshly baited liquid-bearing cotton wicks. At the cooler site, the solid lure/toxicant combination captured as many males as the fresh liquid formulation for as long as 12 wk. At the warmer site, the solid lure/toxicant system had shorter longevity, apparently owing to the reduced effectiveness of the insecticidal strip over time.

Evaluation of Solid Lure Plugs and Insecticide Dispensers on Capturing Dacine Fruit Flies and Non-target Insects

The present study investigated the efficacy of solid male lures viz., cuelure (C-L), methyl eugenol (ME) and tri-med lure (TML) formulated with insecticide for the capture of Tephritid fruit flies in three different green areas of Bangladesh. We also evaluated non-target attraction effects to traps baited with these male lures. Traps were placed at nine locations in each of three experimental fields of Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh during May-September, 2015. The experimental areas were i. Atomic Ene

Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) and Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Surrounding an Environmental Protection Zone in the Metropolitan Region of Natal: Use of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Bulbs in Entomological Surveillance.

Entomological surveillance is very important for parasite and arbovirus vector control programs. Light traps with incandescent bulbs are used to attract insects and analyze the factors that contribute to the occurrence of species surrounding an environmental protection zone. Phlebotomine and mosquito abundance and their diversity were analyzed. Captures occurred monthly using six CDC light traps with two incandescent bulbs, two blue and two red LED lights. A total of 2211 phlebotomines of seven species and 4486 mosquitoes belonging to 20 taxa were captured. Different phlebotomine and mosquito species were found in the forest and peridomestic environments, with a predominance of the sand fly Evandromyia walkeri (Newstead) and the mosquito Coquillettidia venezuelensis (Theobald). There was a significant difference in the abundance of sand flies captured with the three bulbs tested, the blue bulb being the most efficient. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index showed that the trap equipped with a red LED light obtained a higher value than that of the blue LED and incandescent bulb. Analyses showed that the potential vectors and non-vectors of the two groups circulate between the forest and the peridomestic environment, suggesting an adaptation process of species to the altered environment. An incandescent light bulb can be substituted by an LED bulb, without compromising the sensitivity of the method. A blue LED is indicated for the abundant capture of mosquitoes and sand flies, while a red LED obtains a better result in terms of species diversity per capture.

Trapping Fruit Flies: A Guided-Inquiry Lab Approach to Teaching Biology to Nonmajors

Current trends in education include offering students authentic experiences that generate broad interest, develop their cognitive flexibility, and prepare them to be scientifically literate members of society. We present a three-part guided-inquiry lab that gives students practice applying the scientific method to control fruit fly outbreaks and reinforces concepts related to behavioral and sensory biology. This activity was designed and tested at a four-year university but can be modified for high school courses. Students are “employed” by the fictional Fruit Fly Trap Company to design a device to maximize capture of female fruit flies using environmentally friendly lures. During this lab, students collaborate to conduct literature searches, ask research questions, develop hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present findings in a short oral presentation. In our implementation of this module in a biology class for nonmajors in fall 2017, over 50% of students reported that the literature research, scent experiments, trap construction, trap testing, and PowerPoint presentation were extremely effective in teaching science process and biological problem-solving skills. Over 70% of our students rated the practical, hands-on elements of the activity as enjoyable. Overall, students generally enjoyed the lab and reported positive impacts on their learning.

Field Capture of Male Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Traps Baited with Varying Amounts of Trimedlure

Detection of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), relies heavily on traps baited with the male attractant trimedlure. This lure is dispensed from solid polymeric plugs (2 g a.i.) that are changed out every 6 wk, because beyond this interval their attractiveness drops significantly below that of fresh lure. Existing data suggest that plugs loaded with 4 g of trimedlure may have longer attractancy, which would allow for longer servicing intervals with associated reductions in material and labor costs. The objective of the present study was to gather additional data on the effectiveness of plugs having trimedlure loadings greater than 2 g. In 4 field experiments conducted in Hawaii, the capture of male medflies was compared over 10 or 12 wk periods between control traps baited with 2 mL fresh liquid trimedlure on a cotton wick and treatment traps baited with aged plugs containing 2 to 4 g of the lure. In all experiments, 6-wk-aged plugs, regardless of the specific loading, attracted similar numbers of males as the fresh liquid lure. Conversely, in 3 of the 4 experiments, plugs aged for 10 or 12 wk attracted significantly fewer males than the fresh lure. The performance of plugs aged 8 wk was inconsistent, showing similar attractiveness as fresh lure in certain cases but not others. Based on these findings, we conclude that, counter to our expectations, the use of 4 g trimedlure plugs would not allow effective trapping over longer inter-servicing intervals. Key Words: Ceratitis capitata; detection; trapping program; invasive species; male lure Resumen La deteccion de la mosca mediterranea de la fruta (moscamed), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), depende en gran medida de trampas cebadas con trimedlure, un senuelo de machos. Este senuelo se dispensa de tapones polimericos solidos (2 g a.i.) que se cambian cada 6 semanas, porque despues de este intervalo su atractivo baja significativamente con respecto a un senuelo fresco. Los datos existentes sugieren que los tapones cargados con 4 g de senuelo trimedlure pueden tener una atraccion mas larga, lo que permitiria intervalos de servicio mas largos con reducciones asociadas en los costos de material y mano de obra. El objetivo del presente estudio fue reunir datos adicionales sobre la efectividad de los tapones que tienen la cantidad de senuelo trimedlure mayor de 2 g. En 4 experimentos de campo realizados en Hawai, se comparo la captura de moscas moscas macho durante 10 o 12 semanas entre trampas de control cebadas con 2 ml de trimedlure liquido fresco en una mecha de algodon y trampas de tratamiento cebadas con tapones viejos que contienen de 2 a 4 g de senuelo. En todos los experimentos, los tapones de 6 semanas de edad, independientemente de la cantidad de trimedlure especifica, atrajeron un numero similar de machos como las trampas con senuelo de liquido fresco. Por el contrario, en 3 de los 4 experimentos, los tapones usados para 10 o 12 semanas atrajeron significativamente menos machos que el senuelo fresco. El rendimiento de los tapones de 8 semanas de edad fue inconsistente, mostrando un atractivo similar al senuelo fresco en ciertos casos, pero no en otros. Con base en estos hallazgos, llegamos a la conclusion de que, en contra de nuestras expectativas, el uso de tapones trimedlure de 4 g no permitiria la captura efectiva durante intervalos mas largos entre servicios. Palabras Clave: Ceratitis capitata; deteccion; programa de trampeo; especies invasivas; senuelo de machos View this article in BioOne

Efficacy of Modified Vavoua and Nzi Traps in the Capture of Stable Flies: A Preliminary Field Trial in Cameroon

Efficacy of Modified Vavoua and Nzi Traps in the Capture of Stable Flies: A Preliminary Field Trial in Cameroon

Identification of Volatiles From Plants Infested With Honeydew-Producing Insects, and Attraction of House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) to These Volatiles.

House flies (Musca domestica L.) are mechanical vectors of food-borne pathogens including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Shigella spp., resulting in increased risk of diarrheal disease in areas where flies are abundant. Movement of house flies into food crops may be increased by the presence of honeydew-producing insects feeding on these crops. Using gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), volatile odors that elicited house fly antennal response were identified from naval orange (Osbeck) (Sapindales: Rutaceae) and Marsh grapefruit (Macfad.) (Sapindales: Rutaceae) leaves infested with whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and from whole faba (L.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) bean plants infested with aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Volatiles identified included benzaldehyde, butyl hexanoate, β-caryophyllene, Δ3-carene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, myrcene, limonene, linalool, and naphthalene. This was followed by semifield bioassays of volatile blends and individual volatiles to determine house fly attraction to these volatiles. Although fly capture rates in the semifield setting were low, benzaldehyde and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate were consistently attractive to house flies as individual compounds and as components of volatile blends.

Predicting Within- and Between-Year Variation in Activity of the Invasive Spotted Wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in a Temperate Region.

Invasive insect pests can be challenging to manage because their recent arrival provides limited information on which to build predictive population models. The magnitude and timing of activity by the invasive vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii, in crop fields has been unpredictable due to its recent arrival in many new regions of the world and changes in methods for its detection. Using 7 yr of consistent trapping of adults at four blueberry farms in Michigan, United States, we modeled the temporal and environmental factors influencing D. suzukii activity. We found that this pest established high levels within 2 yr of being detected, with peak fly activity continuing to increase. Fly activity timing and abundance were predicted by the annual number of days below 0°C, the number of winter and spring days above 10°C, and by the fly activity in the preceding year, providing support for overwintering in our region. We monitored larval infestation for 4 yr at these same sites and found a moderate positive correlation between larvae in fruit and adults in traps. Finally, we developed a generalized additive model to predict D. suzukii fly capture throughout the season based on relevant environmental factors and examined the relative timing and magnitude of activity under varying winter and spring temperature conditions. Our results suggest that D. suzukii activity is predictable and that environmental conditions can be used in temperate regions to provide regional risk warnings as a component of strategies to manage this invasive insect pest.

Exploiting the Synergistic Effect of Kairomones and Light-Emitting Diodes on the Attraction of Phlebotomine Sand Flies to Light Traps in Brazil.

The synergistic effect of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and kairomones on the attraction of sand flies to light traps was evaluated. Octenol and lactic acid were used as chemical attractants. Green LEDs and the incandescent lamps were used as light attractants. Five CDC-type light traps with the respective combination of attractants (incandescent lamp, incandescent lamp + chemical attractant, green LED, green LED + chemical attractant, and chemical attractant alone [without light]) were set between 18:00 and 06:00 following a Latin square design. A total of 6,536 sand flies and 16 species were collected. The most frequent species collected was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera, Psychodidae) accounting for 43.21% of all individuals. Order of success (mean, SD) of lactic acid attractant fly capture was as follows: LED + lactic acid (36.83 ± 4.74), LED alone (34.87 ± 4.61), incandescent lamp + lactic acid (22.80 ± 3.19), incandescent lamp alone (12.67 ± 2.03), and lactic acid (0.46 ± 0.13). Order of success of octenol attractant fly capture was as follows: LED + octenol (37.23 ± 5.61), LED alone (35.77 ± 5.69), incandescent lamp + octenol (18.63 ± 3.28), incandescent lamp alone (14.67 ± 2.86), and octenol alone (1.80 ± 0.65). With exception of lactic acid + incandescent light, chemical synergists played no part in significantly increasing light trap capture of phlebotomine sand flies. However, the use of LEDs, with or without such attractants, provided significantly higher capture compared to the incandescent lamp with or without such chemicals, showing that LEDs are suitable and efficient light sources for surveillance and monitoring of phlebotomine sand flies in Brazil.

The Strategy of Organic Pest Control in Ecuador: Capture Effectiveness of Fruit Fly (Anastrepha) Species in Orange Tree Regulated by Volatile Alimentary Attractants

The fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritoidea) is a pest with high phytosanitary impacts and economic importance worldwide. In Ecuador, fruit fly causes significant losses affecting more than 260 different fruit types. This study was aimed to estimate fruit fly capture effectiveness in orange tree regulated by volatile alimentary attractants to propose an alternative biological control. The experimental unit constituted by a Multilure trap (McPhail plastic wet version) for each vegetable attractant. Five volatile alimentary attractants more one control were compared. Thirty-five fruit fly individuals were captured, corresponding to the species Anastrepha obliqua, A. fraterculus, A. striata, and A. leptozona. The most abundant species was A. obliqua with 14 individuals. The most effective treatment was guava juice covering 40 % of the total captured flies. Maximum MTD rate (flies/trap/day) was not significant, considering it as a low catch rate plague. The results indicated the possibility of using this organic control method for fruit fly. It can become one of the technologies as an environmentally friendly method and in favour of farmers' health.

Fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) assemblage in a feijoa orchard in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Fruit flies cause economically important damage on several cultivated and native South American fruit trees. Hence, it is important to understand the population dynamics of these insects. This study aimed to characterize the assemblage and population fluctuations of fruit flies in a feijoa (Acca sellowiana) orchard in Lages, Santa Catarina State, Brazil from September 2009 to May 2012. Captures of flies were made with McPhail traps baited with hydrolyzed protein. Evaluations and bait change were performed weekly. A total of 2,197 flies were captured (957 males and 1,240 females). Analysis of abundance, constancy, dominancy and frequency showed that Anastrepha fraterculus was the main species captured; it was considered to be very frequent, constant and highly dominant throughout the study period. The orchard presented low equitability, low diversity, and high dominance of A. fraterculus during the three fruit seasons evaluated. No correlation was found between climatic factors and population levels of A. fraterculus.

Attraction of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Sterile Males to Essential Oils: The Importance of Linalool.

Small cage and wind tunnel bioassays were used to understand the role of volatile chemicals found in ginger root oil and other essential oils in the attraction of sterile male Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Small cage bioassays found that both a 10 component blend (geraniol, linalool, β-myrcene, limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, β-caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, and α-humulene) and a 4 component subset of that blend (geraniol, linalool, β-myrcene and limonene) were more attractive than paired mineral oil controls. Both blends were equally attractive as ginger root oil and each other. Deletion studies, which tested all 3 component blends, found decreased attraction when linalool was deleted from the 4 component blend. Linalool alone attracted an equal percentage of flies as the 4 component blend, confirming that this chemical was responsible primarily for attraction to ginger root oil. Wind tunnel bioassays confirmed previous studies that panel traps baited with ginger root oil captured more flies than traps baited with manuka oil. Addition of linalool to manuka oil resulted in capture equal to ginger root oil, and addition of linalool to ginger root oil resulted in capture of more flies than ginger root alone. The results of this study will allow a better understanding of the role of individual plant-based chemicals in the attraction of male C. capitata.