Field efficacy of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) mass trapping technique on clementine groves in Spain

Abstract

Mass trapping is being used in Mediterranean regions to control Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in citrus. The technique is based on placing a high density of traps with an attractant (Ferag CC D TM®, a three‐membrane dispensers of trimethylamine, ammonium acetate and diaminoalkane), and a toxicant, aiming to capture the highest numbers of adults in the grove. From 2006 to 2008, field trials were conducted in commercial Clementine (Citrus reticulata Blanco) groves to evaluate the efficacy against medfly of using different trap densities, 25, 50, 75 and 100 traps per ha. Based on the number of adults captured, fruit maturity parameters and medfly fruit damage, a 25 trap per ha density appears to be a valid stand‐alone method to protect mid‐season varieties (Clemenules) from the attack of C. capitata, because <0.5% of fruits on average were damaged at harvest. For early‐season varieties (Loretina and Marisol), mass trapping technique alone did not offer a satisfactory medfly control, because medfly populations were higher in the warmer months of the early‐season variety production, which led to a higher percentage of attacked fruits, even when increasing the trap density from 50 to 100 per ha. However, using 50 traps per ha density combined with chemical treatments only to the perimeter row of the grove gave good results, because <2% of fruits in average were damaged at harvest.

Trapping and the Detection, Control, and Regulation of Tephritid Fruit Flies

“…However, fruit damage was effectively avoided only with higher trap densities (75 or 100 traps/ha). These results are consistent with a later study (Martínez-Ferrer et al 2012) in which a unique dispenser with the blend of ammonium acetate, trimethylamine, and cadaverine was tested in the Probodelt trap. This study showed that a lower density of 25 traps/ha was sufficient to control damage in mid-season varieties (when pest pressure is low), whereas a higher density of traps was required for early-ripening varieties (when pest pressure is higher).…”

“…This finding can be attributed to the cumulative reduction in the fruit fly population that is associated with effective mass trapping. As higher trap densities entail higher costs, many authors (Leza et al 2008;Martínez-Ferrer et al 2012; suggest the combination of mass trapping and insecticide bait sprays as the most suitable strategy for growers in areas with high C. capitata populations. For example, Martínez-Ferrer et al (2012) performed field trials in 3 ha groves during three consecutive years.…”

“…As higher trap densities entail higher costs, many authors (Leza et al 2008;Martínez-Ferrer et al 2012; suggest the combination of mass trapping and insecticide bait sprays as the most suitable strategy for growers in areas with high C. capitata populations. For example, Martínez-Ferrer et al (2012) performed field trials in 3 ha groves during three consecutive years. Results showed that fruit damage in citrus was effectively reduced by applying perimeter sprays of insecticide + protein baits combined with mass trapping, indicating this may be a suitable strategy for small plots.…”

“…In this case, application of bait sprays should be conducted when the damage threshold is exceeded, and the fruit start ripening (Martínez-Ferrer et al 2012). For this purpose, as soon as the fruit become susceptible to fruit fly puncture, a weekly visual inspection of the fruit is suggested.…”

Mass trapping is as effective as ground bait sprays for the control of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) fruit flies in mango orchards

“…The advantages of mass trapping have been reported for Bactrocera oleae and C. capitata control . Those authors concluded that, under high pest density, mass trapping alone could not achieve sufficient control and bait sprays were necessary to reduce populations …”