Effectiveness of bait station MS2® and food attractant Cera Trap® as an alternative for catching fruit flies in Veracruz, Mexico

Different trap alternatives have been tested to strengthen the national program against fruit flies in México, contributing to propose of a new trap design and a more efficient method, with rational use of resources and environmental protection. The effectiveness of bait station MS2® combined with Cera Trap® attractant was tested with respect to other treatments on grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf. var. Blanca), in the Cañadas Community, Martínez de la Torre Municipality, Veracruz State, Mexico. A completely randomized experimental design was used and data were analyzed by simple variance classification. The species Anastrepha ludens (Loew) was collected in larger numbers and showed maxima of 0.5 flies/trap/day (week 7), up to 4.5 (week 19). The bait stations MS2® at a density of 52 per ha were the best fly catchers. Treatment 1 (MS2®-Cera Trap®) showed the highest catch (1.57 individuals), the others treatments had low effectiveness and were impractical to capture these insects. The sex relation was always in favor of females and significantly higher in the treatment with attractant Cera Trap® (59% females compared to 41% males. MS2®-Cera Trap® was the most efficient and environment friendly combination.