Attract-and-kill systems efficiency against Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) and effects on non-target insects in peach orchards.

Hafsi, A., Abbes, K., Harbi, A., Duyck, P.-F. and Chermiti, B. 2015. Attract-and-kill systems efficiency against Ceratitis capitata Diptera : Tephritidae) and effects on non-target insects in peach orchards. Journal of Applied Entomology. doi: 10.1111/jen.1225 [Early view]

Abstract :

For control of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), the attract-and-kill or attracticide technique is an alternative to the spraying of traditional organophosphate pesticides. In this study, the effectiveness of Ceranock and AAL&K attract-and-kill bait stations was assessed for control of C. capitata in Tunisian peach (Prunus persica) orchards. Our results showed that, in orchards with early-ripening varieties, the numbers of C. capitata males and fruit damage were significantly lower in plots treated with Ceranock and AAL&K bait stations than in plots treated with conventional organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides. In addition, the abundances of non-target insects in the Chrysopidae, Coccinellidae and Miridae were significantly greater in plots treated with the bait stations than in plots treated with the conventional pesticides; that is, the use of attract-and-kill bait stations had fewer negative effects than the application of conventional pesticides on the biological diversity in Tunisian peach orchards. Overall, the results indicate that Ceranock and AAL&K attract-and-kill bait stations are useful alternatives for the control of C. capitata in Tunisian peach orchards planted with early-ripening varieties.

Publiée : 07/09/2015