ARS | Publication request: Response of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tepritidae) to white and brown cane, coconut, date, date jaggery and panela sugar solutions with varying degrees of fermentation

Submitted to: Tephritid Workers of Europe Africa and the Middle East (TEAM)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 12, 2012
Publication Date: July 5, 2012
Citation: Epsky, N.D., Gill, M.A., Allen, C.L., Niogret, J., Robert, H.R., Kendra, P.E. 2012. Response of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tepritidae) to white and brown cane, coconut, date, date jaggery and panela sugar solutions with varying degrees of fermentation. Tephritid Workers of Europe Africa and the Middle East (TEAM). Tephritid Workers of Europe Africa and the Middle East (TEAM).

Interpretive Summary: We measured the EAG response of Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), the Caribbean fruit fly to six different sugars (white and brown cane, coconut, date, date jaggery and panela sugars). Wild and lab female flies of different physiological states (immature and mature) were tested in dry crystals and 10% sugar dilutions of different ages (0-7 days of fermentation). Independently of the strain (wild or lab) and physiological state, flies exhibited different responses to dry crystal and sugar solutions. In general, dry crystals elicited a lower response than 10% sugar solutions. Jaggery solution after 2-4 days of fermentation elicited the highest response. Additionally, we ran flight tunnel assays with two of the treatments that elicited the highest response. Our results show that some sugar solutions are indeed attractive to A. suspensa females. More studies should be performed with these solutions to look for specific compounds that could be used in the development of new lures for Anastrepha spp.

Technical Abstract: We measured the EAG response of Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), the Caribbean fruit fly to six different sugars (white and brown cane, coconut, date, date jaggery and panela sugars). Wild and lab female flies of different physiological states (immature and mature) were tested in dry crystals and 10% sugar dilutions of different ages (0-7 days of fermentation). Independently of the strain (wild or lab) and physiological state, flies exhibited different responses to dry crystal and sugar solutions. In general, dry crystals elicited a lower response than 10% sugar solutions. Jaggery solution after 2-4 days of fermentation elicited the highest response. Additionally, we ran flight tunnel assays with two of the treatments that elicited the highest response. Our results show that some sugar solutions are indeed attractive to A. suspensa females. More studies should be performed with these solutions to look for specific compounds that could be used in the development of new lures for Anastrepha spp.