Author
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Robacker, David |
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Rodriguez, Maura |
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Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2004 Publication Date: 12/1/2004 Citation: Robacker, D.C., Rodriguez, M.E. 2004. Simple and effective cylindrical sticky trap for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Florida Entomologist. 87(4):492-495. Interpretive Summary: Fruit fly infestations threaten fruit industries all over the world. Control programs are in place in most fruit-producing regions to prevent invasion of exotic flies and to manage populations of resident species below critical levels. Traps are of paramount importance in these programs to detect new arrivals and to monitor fly densities as part of the overall process of keeping populations in check. This study was undertaken to develop a new type of sticky trap that can be used with synthetic lures developed over the last 10 years. Sticky traps currently in use are relatively ineffective compared with their heavier counterparts containing a liquid agent to drown trapped flies. This work describes a cylindrical sticky trap that is 2.5 times more attractive than standard panel traps with the same amount of sticky surface area. Several features make the trap easy to transport and use in the field. These include a slight conical shape that allows stacking like Dixie cups and a wire for attachment of the trap hanger that allows traps to be replaced quickly without dislodging the lure from the trap hanger. If future testing indicates this design is as effective as wet traps, it could be used as a replacement in cases when a dry trap is preferred. The design is suitable for development of killing stations in which flies attracted to the trap are killed by a contact insecticide. It is ideal for this control strategy because the stations could be placed in orchards where they would kill flies for several months without the need for replacement. Technical Abstract: A sticky trap for fruit flies was developed that is 2.5 times more effective than yellow panel traps of equal surface area for capture of Mexican fruit flies. The trap consists of a slightly conical yellow cardboard cylinder coated on the outside surface with trapping adhesive. In trapping efficacy, these stand-alone cylinders were equivalent to plastic liquibaitor trap tops with similar cylinders mounted on the outside. Liquibaitor trap tops with cylinders mounted on the inside and outside were not more effective than those with the sticky surface only on the outside. Besides the increased attractiveness of the stand-alone cylinders with the sticky surface outside, advantages of this design are that lures can be suspended from the trap hanger inside the cylinder where they do not contact the sticky surface, sticky cylinders can be changed in the field without disturbing lures that are suspended from the hangers, and traps can be stacked like Dixie cups for storage and transport. |
