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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #163368
Title: THE ROLE OF EAG IN DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD-BASED ATTRACTANTS FOR ANASTREPHA FRUIT FLIES (DIPTERA:TEPHRITDAE)

Author
item Kendra, Paul
item Montgomery, Wayne
item Epsky, Nancy
item Heath, Robert

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2004
Publication Date: 5/17/2004
Citation: Kendra, P.E., Montgomery, W.S., Epsky, N.D., Heath, R.R. 2004. The role of EAG in development of food-based attractants for Anastrepha Fruit Flies (Diptera: tephritdae). 5th Working Group on Fruit Flies of the Western Hemisphere, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. May 17, 2004.

Interpretive Summary: See abstract only

Technical Abstract: Current ammonia-based lures vary considerably in their ability to attract Anastrepha fruit flies in the field, and this variability does not appear to be related solely to ammonia release rate. The need for improved lures prompted a research approach using electroantennography (EAG), a technique which measures response of insect antennal receptors to volatile chemicals. Antennal responses are a prerequisite for behavioral responses, making EAG a useful tool for screening potential attractants. Our objective is to identify factors which influence fruit fly attraction to chemical cues, including sex, age, dose, and contributions of multiple components. In our initial investigations, we measured EAG response of the Caribbean fruit fly, A. suspensa, to ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2), two gases released from commercial ammonium bicarbonate lures. We generated dose-response curves and observed differences in antennal response related to sex and age of the flies. Female response was greater than male response for CO2 and for a CO2-NH3 mixture, but not for NH3 alone. Response to CO2 was greater in sexually mature females than in immature females, but the response to NH3 was greater in immature females. For all flies tested, EAG response to NH3 was greater than response to CO2, and when combined the response to the mixture was approximately equal to the sum of individual responses to the two gases. Information from EAG studies will be used to determine the relationship between antennal sensitivity to fruit fly attractants and efficacy of those compounds in traps and lures for pest Anastrepha species.