Abstract
Fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) are considered serious insect pests of fruits and vegetables globally. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pheromone traps containing Static Spinosad + Methyl eugenol in controlling B. zonata and B. dorsalis fruit flies. Traps were positioned at different heights (0, 1, 2, and 3 meters) to assess catch rates. Weekly monitoring of male fruit fly populations revealed fluctuations over time and across heights, with peak populations of both species (460.2 and 103.0 flies) observed at 2 meters and lowest populations (48.6 and 7.0 flies) at ground level (0 meters). Similarly, maximum populations for both species occurred in late October, with declines observed in February. Population fluctuations correlated positively with temperature and negatively with relative humidity. Traps utilizing Spinosad + Methyl eugenol were effective, particularly at 2 meters, suggesting this height is optimal for guava orchards. The study emphasizes the need for further research to refine fruit fly control strategies, focusing on trap placement and effectiveness across different orchards and vegetable crops.
Keywords: Bactrocera spp, Guava orchard, Methyl eugenol, Static Spinosad