Improving the Efficiency of Protein-Based Baits by Adding Ammonia for Controlling Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Egypt.

2 Plant Protection Research Institute, ARC, Doki, Giza, Egypt.

3 Department of Economic Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt.

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among the most economically damaging pests of citrus orchards in Egypt. Proprietary aqueous protein baits that incorporate ammonia derivatives have been developed for pestiferous fruit flies. An approach combining lures (protein baits and olfactory ammonia attractants) sprayed with insecticides has been used to combine detection and monitoring in the management programs of fruit flies. Three ammonia derivatives [di-ammonium phosphate (DA), ammonium acetate (AA), and ammonium hydroxide (AH)] were used to improve the efficacy of protein hydrolysate Buminal, the most common protein-based bait used for monitoring tephritid flies in Egypt, in attracting C. capitata and B. zonata flies. Then, the spot-bait spray was applied either by incorporating the 1% DA  with one of the three insecticides (lambda-cyhalothrin, abamectin, and malathion) or without. The results of this study are essential for developing an effective pest management program for controlling C. capitata and B. zonata. The addition of DA, but not AA or AH, to the commercially available Buminal bait magnified its attractiveness for both tephritid species. The pyrethroid, lambda-cyhalothrin, had high potency especially when applied together with the Buminal bait and the olfactory attractant, DA, which renders them potential agents for controlling C. capitata and B. zonata. These findings can potentially increase the effectiveness of protein baits in spot-spray applications for fruit fly monitoring and suppression.

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