Response of the Sapote Fruit Fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Commercial Lures and Trap Designs in Sapodilla Orchards

Abstract

Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the least studied of the pestiferous Neotropical tephritid flies despite its propensityto attack several commercial fruit crops, mainly in the Sapotaceae (Ericales). Few studies have been performed to improve monitoring traps and lures specifically targeted at this species. Management currently is achieved by using the hydrolyzed protein lure (Captor® with borax) and a Multilure® trap in combination with chemical control measures. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of other commercial lures and traps for monitoring purposes in sapodilla orchards. The efficacies of 3 commercial lures, namely, Captor (chemically hydrolyzed protein) + borax, CeraTrap® (enzymatically hydrolyzed protein), and Biolure® (dry lure based on ammonium acetate and putrescine), were compared in 2 independent experiments.In a 1st experiment, CeraTrap caught twice as many A. serpentina flies per trap per day as Captor + borax. In a 2nd experiment, trapping efficacy of CeraTrap and Biolure was similar, and both lures caught more A. serpentina flies per day per trap than Captor + borax. No significant differences in the capture of A. serpentina were observed among a Multilure trap, a Tephi Trap®, or a simple polyethylene bottle trap, when baitedwith CeraTrap. This study contributes with additional information on the response of A. serpentina to commercial lures, showing that CeraTrap couldrepresent an effective alternative to monitor this pest using simple and cheap polyethylene bottle traps.