Efficacy of sex pheromone and methyl eugenol-based traps in monitoring the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillet)

Issue Date

10-2004

Abstract

Comparative efficacies of sex pheromone (SP) and methyl eugenol (ME) traps in monitoring melon fly, B. cucurbitae, were initially evaluated in farmers' field in San Francisco, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. Traps were prepared using plastic bottles provided with four holes on the sides. A cotton bud impregnated with either SP or ME was placed at the center of each bottle. Bottles for SP trap were sprayed with a sticky material. The two kinds of traps were hanged 2m high and alternately 10m apart between the crop rows. The use of sticky material rather than insecticide could enhance the effectiveness of the traps in monitoring the population of male fly in bitter gourd and bottle gourd fields. SP trap was more effective and specific than ME in attracting the melon fly B. cucurbitae in cucurbit fields. Six SP traps can be sufficient to monitor the melon fly in 2,000 sq-m area and one cotton bud impregnated with the pheromone can be used for trapping for four weeks. The ME trap was less effective than SP trap and not specific for attracting the melon fly, although the former can be used in monitoring melon fly within a cucurbit field particularly during the peak of cucurbit production. In addition, the ME can attract the fruit fly species complex including B. philippinensis and B. occipitalis. Assessment of melon fly population using sticky SP trap for proper timing of management intervention and mass trapping of melon fly will be carried out continuously in cucurbit fields.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

18

Issue

2

Page

167

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE; PEST MONITORING; SEX PHEROMONES; PHEROMONE TRAPS; SEX ATTACTANTS; STICKY TRAPS; PEST MANAGEMENT

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