Optimizing torula bait for Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) trapping in the Dominican Republic
Abstract
Torula yeast is the most common bait used by growers and agriculture professionals for trapping of tephritid flies in the Dominican Republic. However, the efficiency of the bait is influenced by weather conditions, aging, and contamination with undesirable microorganisms. Thus, additives such as benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound, have been used together with torula yeast as a bait stabilizer. This study evaluated the effect of the addition of benzalkonium chloride to torula yeast bait, and time of renewal in guava orchards for trapping of Caribbean fruit flies (Anastrepha suspensa Loew; Diptera: Tephritidae). A field study was conducted in 2 consecutive 8-wk periods between Oct 2019 and Feb 2020. Six treatments were evaluated based on the type of bait (torula yeast or torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride) and renewal frequency (weekly, biweekly, or without renewal). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Data indicated that torula yeast was attractive to 85.2% and 80.2% more males and females of Caribbean fruit flies compared to torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride, respectively. Similarly, traps without renewal attracted an average of 49.8% more females than traps renewed weekly or biweekly, regardless of the bait type. Analysis of both baits showed a rapid decrease in pH of the torula yeast. The addition of benzalkonium chloride may have affected the microbial activity in the solution, leading to reduced decomposition of torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride and, therefore, reduced captures.
Resumen
La levadura Torula es el cebo más comúnmente utilizado por los agricultores y los profesionales de la agricultura para atrapar moscas de la fruta en la República Dominicana. Sin embargo, la eficacia del cebo está influenciada por las condiciones climáticas, el envejecimiento y la contaminación con microorganismos. Dado esto, compuestos de amonio cuaternario, como el cloruro de benzalconio, son utilizados en mezcla con torula como estabilizador de cebo. Este estudio evaluó el efecto de la adición de cloruro de benzalconio al cebo de levadura torula y el tiempo de renovación en huertos de guayaba para atrapar moscas de la fruta del Caribe (Anastrepha suspensa Loew; Diptera: Tephritidae). Se realizó un estudio de campo en 2 períodos consecutivos de 8 semanas entre octubre de 2019 y febrero de 2020. Se evaluaron seis tratamientos de tipo de cebo (levadura torula o levadura torula + cloruro de benzalconio) y la frecuencia de renovación (semanal, quincenal o sin renovación). Los tratamientos se organizaron en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con 4 repeticiones. Los datos indicaron que la levadura torula fue atractiva para un 85,2% y un 80,2% más de machos y hembras de moscas de la fruta del Caribe en comparación con la levadura torula + cloruro de benzalconio, respectivamente. Del mismo modo, las trampas sin renovación atrajeron un promedio de 49,8% más de hembras que las trampas renovadas semanalmente o quincenalmente, independientemente del tipo de cebo. El análisis de ambos cebos mostró una rápida disminución del pH de la levadura torula. La adición de cloruro de benzalconio puede haber afectado la actividad microbiana en la solución, provocando una descomposición reducida de la levadura torula + cloruro de benzalconio y, por lo tanto, capturas reducidas.
Key Words: Caribbean fruit fly; benzalkonium chloride; guava; torula yeast
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