R.E.H. Fadul1, F.E.E. Salah1, H. Abdelgader2*, A.A.E. Omer1 and A.B. Dafaallah1
(1) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan; (2) Crop Protection Center, Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad Medani, Sudan.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
Fruit flies, Bactrocera spp., are among the most destructive fruit/vegetable-eating agricultural pests in the world, particularly in African countries such as Sudan. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trap color, cultural and sanitation measures on population density of the peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Several field surveys were conducted in the Gezira State, Sudan during the 2016/2017 growing season. Three locations were selected in the study area and three sites were selected at each location. An orchard was randomly selected at each site and five directions at each orchard were determined. Methyl eugenol trap was used to estimate the effect of trap color, cultural and sanitation measures on the population density of the fruit flies. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and analysis of variance. The results obtained showed that during the flowering period of mango, peach fruit fly was highly attracted to other colors rather than the yellow color, whereas, during fruiting the insect was highly attracted to the yellow color compared to the other colors. The population density of the insects was significantly lower in the well managed orchards (8.7 insects per trap per week) compared to the poorly managed orchards (36.9 insects per trap per week). Accordingly, the trap color, composition of the horticultural crop, proper cultural practices and good sanitation measures are factors that need to be addressed when considering peach fruit fly control.
Bactrocera zonata, color, methyl eugenol, peach fruit fly, sanitation
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001497