Evaluation of various traps and attractants for trapping the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), in a mixed-fruit orchard in Shiraz (Fars province)

Mediterranean fruit fly (med fly), Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), which was considered as an important quarantine pest in Iran was recorded on mandarin fruit in Shiraz in January 2007. To determine the best combination of trap and attractant for trapping of med fly, a field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 6 treatments in 3 replicates in a mixed fruit orchard (2-hactares) in 2009. Treatments were included: 1-Jackson trap baited with trimedlure, 2- Mcphail trap baited with trimedlure, 3- Tephri trap baited with Cera trap liquid, 4- Tephri trap baited with biolure, 5- Plastict bottle baited with Cera trap liquid and 6- Yellow sticky panel. Traps which were installed on trees in 26th July were checked weekly and the number of captured flies and non -target insects were recorded. Mean number of total captured flies per treatment per day (FTD) and non- target insects per treatment per day (NTID) were calculated. Data were transformed to homogenize their variance before analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results revealed significant differences among the treatments at probability level of 0.01 (df =5, F=129.58; P>0.0001). FTD were 3.16, 3.08, o.24, 0.6, 0.07, and zero respectively but NITD were 0.05, 0.02, 7.42, 3.83, 11.06 and 1.86 respectively. Population peaks of med fly and non- target insect were observed between 11-25th October and 15th September respectively. The total capture rate of non target insects in treatments weres 2.3 times number of med fly. Minettia sp. (Diptera: Lauxaniidae) was the dominant species among the non target insects captured by some treatments. Percentages of total captured adult males in treatments 1-5 were 96, 95, 32, 22, and 25 respectively. In conclusion, treatments 1 and 2 are recommended as the best for mass trapping of the med fly in mixed fruit orchards in Shiraz city.