Fruit fly trapping guide - IAEA Publications - International Atomic ...

I. Background
Different traps and lures have been developed
and used over decades to survey fruit fly
populations.
The first attractant for male fruit flies was
methyl eugenol (ME) (for Bactrocera zonata,
Howlett, 1912) followed by kerosene for Mediterranean
fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, (medfly),
Severin and Severin, 1913. In 1956, Angelica seed
oil was used to trap medfly (Steiner et al, 1957).
Beroza et al. (1961) discovered trimedlure (TML)
to be effective for the same purpose. Beroza and
Green, 1963, demostrated cuelure to be an effective
attractant for Bactrocera cucurbitae.
Food baits based on protein solutions, fermenting
sugar solutions, fruit juices, and vinegar
have been used since 1918 for the capture of females
of several species.
The McPhail trap was the first device to
be used with protein baits (McPhail, 1929). Steiner
traps were developed in 1957 (Steiner et al., 1957)
and Jackson traps in 1971 for TML (Harris et al.,
1971). These traps are currently used in various
countries for fruit fly surveys in support of control
activities and eradication campaigns. The combination
of a McPhail trap with a protein attractant,
Jackson trap with TML, and the Steiner trap
with ME or cuelure (CUE), has remained unchanged
for several decades.
Global trends in increasing food quality,
revenue sources, and fruit and vegetable trade, has
resulted in an increased worldwide movement of
fruit fly species and requires refinement of survey
systems.
After years of validating trapping technology
through coordinated research programmes
(CRP’s) and extensive technical assistance to
member countries, the Joint Division FAO/IAEA
proposes the use of proven technologies in improving
trap sensitivity in area-wide fruit fly control
programmes (IAEA 1996 and IAEA 1998).
These proven technologies include the use
of synthetic food lures such as female attractants
that can be used for several species of Anastrepha,
Bactrocera and Ceratitis.
Other citations of information on these developments
are included in the reference section
of these trapping guidelines.
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