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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373055
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Discovery of female attractants and deterrents for improved surveillance and management of Bactrocera fruit flies

Author
item Cha, Dong
item ROH, GWANG-HYUN - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Kendra, Paul
item Zhu, Junwei - Jerry

Submitted to: Fruit Flies of the Western Hemisphere
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2020
Publication Date: 11/3/2020
Citation: Cha, D. H., G. H. Roh, P. E. Kendra, and J. Zhu. 2020. Discovery of female attractants and deterrents for improved surveillance and management of Bactrocera fruit flies. Americas Congress on Fruit Flies and 10th Meeting of the Tephritid Workers of the Western Hemisphere (Virtual Conference). 2-5 Nov 2020.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Bactrocera fruit flies are among the world’s most destructive invasive pests. The combined use of strong male attractants, such as methyl eugenol for surveillance and male annihilation, with protein bait sprays have been important for fruit fly prevention and management programs. However, male attractants do not directly address invading female flies and resistance development to GF-120, the most used bait spray, is an emerging issue. Therefore, we are developing two alternative tactics for the better management of female fruit flies, first with a focus on oriental fruit fly (OFF, B. dorsalis). One approach is to develop a strong female attractant that can be used in detection and control (e.g. attract-and-kill, bait, etc). Although torula yeast is the current choice for female fruit fly monitoring, it is a weak attractant and logistically difficult to manage. We have identified three host plants that are more attractive to female OFF than torula yeast and are also evaluating attractiveness of microbes and novel protein sources. We are also identifying oviposition deterrents that can be used to control OFF oviposition (e.g. push-pull system with female attractant). Our preliminary results are promising with an experimental mixture of chemical deterrents reducing oviposition from female OFF by 75% over 3 days in laboratory assays. Updates on the identification of female attractants and oviposition deterrents and their optimal dose will be discussed.