ATTRACTION OF MELON FRUIT FLIES, Bactrocera cucurbitae (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) TO VARIOUS PROTEIN AND AMMONIA SOURCES UNDER LABORATORY AND FIELD CONDITIONS

Present research work was carried out to access the attractancy of melon fruit flies towards different protein and ammonia sources under laboratory and field conditions. In the first experiment, different lure mixtures (LMs) comprised of ammonia and protein sources mixed with sugar, honey and vinegar in comparison with GF -120 (standard) were assessed for their attractive potential against Bactrocera cucurbitae under laboratory and field conditions. Out of all lure-mixtures, LM-9 (protein-hydrolysate based lure-mixture), LM-5 (Yeast-extract based lure-mixture) and LM-1 (Ammonium-acetate based lure-mixture) proved more attractive LMs to B. cucurbitae under field conditions. These three LMs (LM-9, LM-5 and LM-1) were selected to admix with juices/pulp of different fruits for preparation of eight FALMs [(Fruit juice/pulps Admixed with Lure-Mixtures (LM))] were assessed for their attraction against melon fruit flies under laboratory and field conditions in the second experiment. Out of all FALMs, FALM-1 (cucumber based FALM) proved strongly attractive FALM toward melon fruit flies in olfactometer and field studies. However, FALM-3 (banana based FALM), FALM-4 (pumpkin based FALM), FALM-5 (grapes based FALM) and FALM-7 (watermelon based FALM) proved strongly attractive FALMs to melon fruit flies in field studies. As FALM-1 proved strongly attractive FALM to both males and females of B. cucurbitae in olfactometer and field studies, so it can be used for IPM program of B. cucurbitae in cucurbit cropping system.