Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
J Manikantha, Zadda Kavitha, M Shanthi and K Subaharan

Abstract:
Field tests were carried out in snake gourd and bitter gourd fields located at Peraiyur, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu to determine the effectiveness of protein baits i.e., protineX®, & soybean bait and natural food baits i.e., tomato & banana bait in capturing melon fruit fruit fly, Zeugodcaus cucurbitae. The results indicated that protineX® bait attracted more adult flies than all other baits. Soybean bait ranked next to protineX® which was followed by tomato and banana pulp bait. The majority of the fruit flies collected in the traps were females, revealing that females were drawn to protein sources more than males for their relative higher protein requirements for female growth and sexual maturation.