Monitoring Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata and Other Non-Target Insects in a Citrus Orchard in Tartous, Syria

Abstract

The capture of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and non-target insects to 4 different attractants was studied in a citrus orchard in Syria, using McPhail traps. The field experiment was conducted at Majdaloun El-Baher region in Tartous Governorate, from August until December 2013. The four tested substances included the sex pheromone trimedlure (TML) and three food attractants: Esca Proteica^® (protein hydrolysate), ammonium biphosphate and NuLure. Results obtained showed that trimedlure (TML) was significantly more attractive to C. capitata males than protein hydrolysate, ammoniumbiphosphate and NuLure traps. Meanwhile, ammoniumbiphosphate lure was the most effective attractant for females. On the other hand, seven non-target insect orders were captured in the traps, with Diptera and Hymenoptera captures being highest for Nulure, followed by protein hydrolysate. Very few predators, parasitoids and pollinators were attracted to trimedlure and ammoniumbiphosphate lures. However, the results obtained suggested that TML and ammoniumbiphosphate could provide a suitable monitoring tool for the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Keywords:

Ceratitis capitata, attractants, non-target insects, pheromones, citrus, Syria.