Effect of Parapheromones and Food baits on the Capture of Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya

Abstract

With a view to generate a catalogue of the fruit fly fauna (Tephritidae: Diptera) found in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, a study was conducted using three traps viz. parapheromones, food baits and infested fruit and vegetable samples to capture the adult fly. The traps containing methyl eugenol attracted 6 fruit fly species (Bactrocera dorsalis, B. tuberculata, B. aethriobasis, B. zonata, Zeugodacus diversus and Z. scutellaris). Whereas zingerone attracted 4 species viz, B. dorsalis, B. tuberculata, B. abbreviata and Dacus maculipterus. The food bait (Protein-x, soybean and fruit bait) attracted 3 species viz, D. longicornis, Z. cucurbitae and Z. tau. Two species were recorded for the first time in Meghalaya (B. abbreviata and D. longicornis), of which B. abbreviata is a new record for the country. Two fruit fly species (Z. tau and B. dorsalis) emerged from collected samples of fruits and vegetables (guava, mango, pumpkin, tomato, and ridge gourd). Methyl eugenol attracted more fruit flies from the Bactrocera genus, whereas food baits attracted more from the genus Zeugodacus. Thus, it is recommended that fruit flies should be monitored and managed using a combination of traps and baits.