Field response of three tephritid fruit flies to three food-based attractants and suppression of Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) using Mazoferm E802 + spinosad in a guava ecosystem in Sudan

Abstract

Fruit flies of the genus Bactrocera are the most damaging pests of horticultural crops, leading to severe economic losses affecting the national income of various countries, especially Sudan. Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) were reported in Sudan in 2005 and 2012, respectively. Only the male annihilation technique (MAT) is applied in Sudan to manage the two Bactrocera species. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of B. dorsalis, B. zonata and Zeugodacus cucurbitae to three food-based (Mazoferm, GF-120 and Torula yeast) attractants via McPhail traps at two sites in the Gezira State, Sudan. Another trial was undertaken to determine the effect of spot spraying Mazoferm + Spinosad on control B. zonata. The results showed that food-based attractants lured both sexes of the abovementioned fruit flies with specific attraction to females (74.5, 67.5 and 68.1% to Mazoferm E802, GF-120 and Torula yeast, respectively). At the first site, B. zonata responded in high numbers to Mazoferm E802, followed by Torula yeast and GF-120, while it responded equally to Mazoferm and Torula yeast at the second site. B. dorsalis responded positively to Mazoferm, followed by Torula yeast and GF-120, while Z. cucurbitae was attracted to Mazoferm E802, GF-120 and Torula. Spraying Mazoferm E802 + Spinosad significantly reduced the population of B. zonata (FTD) and suppressed the infestation level of guava fruits (fruit flies/kg of fruits) compared to those in unsprayed orchards. The spot bait application technique is an environmentally friendly approach that reduces fruit fly infestation levels, protects produce, decreases contamination and pollution and increases the income of poor farmers.