Attraction ofCeratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae) and Endemic and Introduced Nontarget Insects to BioLure Bait and Its Individual Components in Hawaii

Abstract

BioLure, a synthetic food attractant for Mediterranean fruit fly [Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)], is composed of three chemicals (ammonium acetate, trimethylamine hydrochloride, and putrescine). We deployed these components together and in separate MultiLure traps across predominantly native forests, non-native forests, farmlands, orchards, and residential areas on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, to evaluate attraction of C. capitata and nontarget insects. Large numbers (as many as 186 per trap per day) of mainly saprophagous nontarget flies (primarily Drosophilidae, Chloropidae, Lonchaeidae, Neriidae, Otitidae, and Calliphoridae) were attracted to BioLure. Very few predators, parasitoids, or pollinators were attracted. Native species, predominantly drosophilid and calliphorid flies, were attracted in large numbers in endemic forests, but mostly (at least 88%) introduced species were collected in orchards, backyards, and non-native forest. A comparison of attraction to the three separate components versus combined components in traps revealed that ammonium acetate and, to a lesser extent, putrescine are the key components attractive to nontarget species. Omitting the putrescine ingredient from BioLure did not drastically decrease C. capitata catches but reduced nontarget captures by 20%.

Mating experience and food deprivation modulate odor preference and dispersal in Drosophila melanogaster males

“…Moreover, ammonia is highly attractive to many insect species in Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, and Orthoptera ( Thomas 2003 ; Shen et al 2009 ; Leblanc et al 2010 ; Yu et al 2011 ). These insects may associate ammonia, through olfactory receptors, with high-protein foods, animal hosts, or other nutritional resources ( Mazor et al 1987 ; Kendra et al 2005 ; Manrakhan and Lux 2008; Shen et al 2009 ; Yu et al 2011 ).…”

Conservation Implications of Changes in Endemic Hawaiian Drosophilidae Diversity across Land Use Gradients

“…We surveyed endemic and introduced drosophilids using a standard trapping protocol established to monitor nontarget insect attraction fruit fly male lures and food attractants [21], [22]. Traps were maintained at 81 sites, in six broad locations on Hawai’i and Maui Islands, covering a diversity of ecosystems, from farmland to invasive forest, strawberry guava belts, mixed and endemic forest.…”

“…Major threats include grazing and weed dispersal by feral ungulates, invasions of nonnative plants such as strawberry guava ( Psidium cattleianum Sabine), conversion of endemic habitats into agricultural and pasture land, wildfires in mesic scrubland, and predation by invasive ants [16], [20] and yellowjackets [18]. Adding to these threats may also be the unintended nontarget impact of practices to control or eradicate insect pests, such as fruit flies (Tephritidae) [21], [22]. In places with very high levels of regional endemicity, like the Hawaiian Islands, such nontarget impacts could threaten species with distributions restricted to a few square kilometers on the slope of a single volcano.…”

Reinvestigation of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Sex Pheromone for Improved Attractiveness and Greater Specificity

“…A similar efect was observed in the mixture of 60:40, perhaps with the addition of the antioxidant would be more eicient in capturing males. An important aspect in the use of pheromones is to avoid catching nontarget species [28,29]. Reducing the capture of nontarget insects increases the eiciency of the trap, reduces the potential impact on endemic species [30], and facilitates inspection of the trap [31].…”