Studies on traps and attractants for monitoring and mass trapping of fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in cucurbit ecosystem in Tripura, N.E. India

Four traps and seven attractants, alone and also in combination were tested for their efficacies in trapping fruit fly on bitter gourd crop. A series of three experiments were conducted separately and each experiment was repeated twice. McPhail trap, Cuelure, Banana slurry and yellow sticky traps provided satisfactorily good results. Ammonium Acetate, citronella oil and fish meal were also recorded to attract some flies but the number of trapped flies was significantly very less. However, Ammonium Acetate in combination with banana slurry or molasses solution has shown synergistic effect on trapping of flies. Cuelure and Banana slurry are the two best attractants which, if used togetherly, can effectively reduce the population of both male and female flies.