Abstract Many countries operate trapping programs to detect incursions of tephritid fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae). Food-based attractants are an important component of trapping systems, as they are neither species- nor sex-specific. Liquid protein baits, including an aqueous solution of torula yeast plus borax (TYB), have traditionally been used. However, such baits are short-lasting and must be replaced frequently. Several dry, synthetic food baits, all containing ammonium acetate, putrescine, and trimethylamine hydrochloride, have been developed as potential replacements for TYB. A recent study reported that, in five different countries, a new vial-lure dispenser (containing these same three components) attracted similar or greater numbers of Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), than TYB-baited traps. In all locations the TYB was replaced weekly, while the vial-lures were not replaced over eight consecutive weeks of trapping. Here, we present additional data from three different regions on the performance of vial-lure dispensers relative to TYB and several other synthetic food-based lures. Results from Florida and Guatemala showed that traps baited with vial-lures captured an equivalent or greater number of C . capitata as traps baited with TYB, whereas in Hawaii TYB was significantly more attractive than the vial-lures. No consistent differences were evident between vial-lures and the other synthetic food baits tested. The present study does not identify the most effective replacement for TYB for monitoring C . capitata . Regardless of the specific bait used, however, the extended field longevity characteristic of synthetic food-based attractants will reduce the high servicing costs associated with TYB-baited traps.
Shelly et al. (Thu,) studied this question.