Evaluation of Trap Devices for Mass Trapping of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Populations

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is considered one of the world’s most damaging pests, able to infest the fruits of over 300 plant species and adapt to a wide range of climatic zones. It can attack commercially important fruits and losses caused by this pest can be enormous without appropriate control measures. To contribute to the management of Mediterranean fruit fly infestations, in the present paper, we report the effectiveness of commercially available trapping devices (Decis Trap, Tephri Trap Ecological and Conetrap) baited with two types of female attractants (Econex Trypack and Biodelear). The performance of trapping devices was evaluated in semi-field cages in different thermal conditions. Our results showed that the Tephri Trap baited with Trypack or Biodelear and the Decis Trap reported the same performance in capturing females and could all be used for medfly mass trapping. The mass trapping technique can be considered an eco-friendly method to use in combination with other control systems. ABSTRACT: The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, is a key pest of fruit crops in a wide range of climatic zone. Its economic importance is increasing due to its invasion and establishment in new geographical areas caused by global warming. Generally, the management of medfly infestation has been carried out with the use of synthetic pyrethroids and phosphorganic insecticides. Other containment approaches include attract-and-kill, biological control, and the sterile insect technique. The mass trapping technique can be considered an eco-friendly method to use in combination with other control systems. The present study reported the trapping effectiveness of commercially available devices (Decis Trap, Tephri Trap Ecological, and Conetrap) baited with different types of female attractants (Econex Trypack and Biodelear) under different thermal conditions. The performance of trapping systems was evaluated in semi-field cages. Our results showed that the combination of Conetrap with Biodelear was not proven effective, while the Tephri Trap baited with Trypack or Biodelear and the Decis Trap reported the same performance in capturing females and could be used for medfly mass trapping.