FRUIT FLY TRAPPER

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)

 

Male and Female Fruit fly are attracted to yellow color. So use YELLOW STICKER to attract and trap those fruitflies.