FRUIT FLY TRAPPER
The Oriental fruit fly
(Bactrorera dorsalis Hendel) is one of the most problematic of pest for fruit and vegetable post harvest production
today. In fact, this is the principal pest here in the Philippines. Fruit fly
infestation is only recognized when the fruits are ripe, destroying the fruit
tissues, leading to accelerated microbial activity, and rendering the fruit
unsuitable for sale and unfit for consumption.
The adult insect is characterized by its small size,
though slightly larger than a housefly, which is about 8 mm. The fly has red
eyes, and predominantly yellowish and dark brown to tan color. The ovipositor
is very slender and sharply pointed. It belongs to class Insecta, Order
Diptera, and Family Tephritidae.
Life Cycle of the
Fruit Fly
Female
fruit flies lay eggs under skin of host fruits and can lay more than a thousand
eggs. Maggots hatch from the eggs and tunnel through the fruit, feeding on the
pulp. After several molting processes, they drop from the fruit and burrow into
the soil to pupate. About nine days are required for attainment of sexual
maturity after the male adult fly emerges. The newly emerged adult females need
8 to 12 days to mature sexually prior to laying eggs. On the average, the
adults live for about 90 days and feed on guava, mango, ampalaya, patola,
rambutan, nangka, melon, carambola, papaya decaying fruit, and other
substances. The adult is a strong flyer, and this ability allows the fly to
infest new areas very quickly.
When to use the Fruitfly
Trapper
The Fruit Fly Trap is best
applied before or during flowering stage of the crops. It can be hanged in the
perimeter of the field, even at eye level. Note that the Trapper is not hung on
the branches of the fruit trees as the fruit flies may be attracted to the
fruits instead of the Trapper. About 12 sets Fruit Fly Trappers can be used in
one hectare. The estimated effective spread of Methyl Eugenol is about 25-50
meters radius, depending on the airflow. Methyl Eugenol can be applied weekly
as 1 to 2 ml of solution can last for one month. Cleaning of the trap can be
done when half full, getting rid of dead male fruit flies. Squeeze a drop or
two of the solution before closing the lid of the canister.
Q and A on Methyl Eugenol
1. What is the economic
importance of the Oriental Fruit Fly?
The Oriental Fruit Fly is one
of the most serious pests of fruit crops in the tropical and subtropical
region. It has been recorded to infest more than 150 kinds of fruits and
vegetables including citrus, guava, wax apple, carambola, mango, papaya,
avocado, banana, loquat, apple, passion fruit, pear, patola, squash, sweet pepper,
cucumber and watermelon.
2. How can one control the
Oriental Fruit Fly?
Methyl Eugenol (ME) is the
most effective lure for male Oriental Fruit Fly. Odor components in ME can
attract male Oriental Fruit Flies from a long distance (about 20 meters radius,
depending on the wind velocity). It reduces the male population of Oriental
fruit fly to a low level such that mating does not occur. This male
annihilation method is considered the most economic and effective method for Oriental
fruit fly control.
3. How much ME should be used?
Based on field conditions, 1-2
ml of lure will last approximately
1 month in the field. Clean
the trap and reapply ME every week.
4. Does ME attract all fruit flies?
No. ME only captures Oriental
fruit flies. It is important to distinguish which fly species you are trying to
capture before selecting a male lure. ME has proven effective in attracting
BACTROCERA Philippinensis, B. Cacuminata, B. Endiandrae, B. Mayi.
5. Does ME attract female fruit flies to my farm?
ME has shown to attract male
Oriental fruit fly only. Studies show that ME lure does not contribute to
increased number of damaging females.
6. Is ME a kind of
pesticide?
ME is not a pesticide. The
trapped fruit fly die of hunger. The specially-designed
trap does not allow the escape of trapped fruit fly.
Step 1. Align
the yellow plastic cap (1) and the fruit fly entrance cap with black lid
(2). Join the two
lids by screwing the
hook.
Step 2. Place
cotton inside the yellow cotton holder (3)
Step 3. Remove
cap of ME container (4) and screw the container under the center of the fruit fly
entrance cap.
Step 4. Squeeze
ME container to wet the cotton.
Step 5. Screw
the fruit fly trap entrance cap (2) to the plastic canister (5)
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| Male and Female Fruit fly are attracted to yellow color. So use YELLOW STICKER to attract and trap those fruitflies. |
