Trap-lure combinations for surveillance of Anastrepha fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Trap/lure combinations were tested against populations of Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) and Anastrepha ludens (Loew) as substitutes for the traditional glass McPhail trap. Open-bottom, plastic traps baited with a two component synthetic lure (ammonium acetate and putrescine) caught as many and sometimes more fruit flies than the McPhail trap baited with torula yeast. Sex ratio of flies caught with the synthetic lure was similar to that caught with torula yeast, i.e., generally female biased, but variable among seasons and locations. The synthetic lure attracted fewer non-target insects giving a substantial time savings in trap maintenance. Moreover, the synthetic lure was effective for ten weeks without replacement. Propylene glycol antifreeze increased captures significantly and improved preservation of specimens when used as the trap liquid compared to water. Dry jar traps and cardboard sticky traps were ineffective in comparison with the liquid baited traps.