Efficacy of Different Attractant and Bait Combinations Against Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett)

Filed trials were conducted during the year 2001 and 2002 to evaluate the efficacy of different combinations of baits, attractants and insecticide in annihilation of males of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae. These formulations were used in Steiner type traps and had differences only in bait component. Maximum numbers of males of B. cucurbitae were trapped in November during first year of experimentation and in June in the second year. The formulation consisting of soya powder (2g) + cue-lure (1 ml) + malathion 50 EC (1 ml) was found most effective in annihilation of male flies of B. cucurbitae but in terms of its overall response it was at par with the treatment in which toddy was used as bait. The use of fruit juice as bait was not found to be much effective..