Evaluation of Protein Baits Developed Using Sap Extracts of Selected Cucurbits for Melon Fly Management.

Abstract

The melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), is widely distributed across temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions of the world. Over 125 host plants have reported damage from it, making it a major pest of cucurbitaceous vegetables. The extent of losses caused by melon fly damage varies between 30% to 100%, depending on the cucurbit species and the cropping season. Protein baits have been proven effective in managing melon fly populations. This experiment evaluated the attraction of flies to protein baits made from both pumpkin and melon sap. The objectives of the experiment were to determine the attraction behavior of melon flies to different concentrations of each sap tested with yeast protein and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Spinosad poisoning level in terms of melon fly mortality. Yeast hydrolysate and molasses were used as bait ingredients. Three concentrations (5%, 10%, and 20%) of each sap were tested with commercial bait, and distilled water was taken as a control treatment. To test the effectiveness of the Spinosad poisoning, the levels 20% below and above the recommended rate of Spinosad poisoning were compared with the standard rate. The results indicated a significantly higher percentage of the attraction of melon flies for 10% and 20% pumpkin protein bait and 20% melon bait than commercial bait. Regarding melon fly mortality and the cost efficiency of using Spinosad insecticide, less than 25% of the recommended poisoning rate of Spinosad insecticide was found to be effective for poisoning pumpkin and melon sap protein baits.