Efficacy of locally formulated baits in managing the melon fly, bactrocera cucurbitae (coquillett) (diptera: tephritidae)

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Date

2010

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Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were carried out in Morogoro Region from August 2008 to June 2009 to evaluate effectiveness of locally formulated baits in managing the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Cocquillett) (Diptera:Tephritidae). An assay was design to determine the quantity of D. elliptica that could kill more than 50% of B. cucurbitae populations, where by roots of D. elliptica were sun dried and prepare a crude extracts then were mixed with brewer’s yeast and the other one mixed with molasses at different concentration and time of exposure then administered to the adult of B.cucurbitae. LD 50 value of the extracts of D. elliptica in Molasses and Brewer’s yeast against B. cucurbitae was observed at 24 hours and 36 hours time of exposure at concentrations of 1.5 g/l to 2.5 g/l respectively, mortalities were increased with concentrations and the time of exposure to D. elliptica in either Molasses or Brewer’s yeast. Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) in three locations was used with four treatments each applied on an individual plot. Four weeks after sowing baits were sprayed on the roosting host plant while an insecticide was sprayed on the crop following recommended doses. D. ellipica extracts mixed in molasses sprayed on border crop show significance difference compared with the Dimethoate 40 EC sprayed on crop, and Spinosad (GF-120) sprayed on border crop. The efficiency of locally formulated baits in monitoring the B. cucurbitae population was tested on plots of watermelon crop. McPhail traps were hung on a wooden pole 1.5 m above the ground and prepared recommended bait solutions were added to each trap. Significant different were observed in the efficacy of brewer’s waste, solulys, molasses and Protein baits in monitoring B. cucurbitae population. Molasses was proved to be more effective in attracting large means number of B. cucurbitae followed by brewer’s waste.

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Keywords

Baits, Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae

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