Three-Dimensional Versus Rectangular Sticky Yellow Traps for Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Abstract The most effective traps tested against western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, have been the Yellow Sticky Strip (YSS) rectangle made of styrene and the three-dimensional yellow Rebell cross made of polypropylene. However, three-dimensional YSS styrene traps have never been tested against this or any other fruit fly. The main objectives of this study were to determine the efficacies of 1) YSS cross, Rebell cross, YSS cylinder, and YSS rectangle traps, 2) Rebell cross versus Rebell rectangle traps, and 3) YSS tent versus YSS rectangle traps for R. indifferens. For 1), the YSS cross caught more flies than the Rebell cross of equivalent surface area and more than a smaller YSS cylinder, but not any more than a YSS rectangle of similar surface area as the YSS cross. For 2), a Rebell cross caught more flies than a rectangle of equivalent surface area made of Rebell panels. For 3), YSS tent and YSS rectangle traps of equivalent surface area did not differ in fly captures. Results suggest that the YSS cross was more effective than the Rebell cross due to its color and that when trap color is highly attractive, three-dimensional shape may be unimportant, whereas it could be when trap color is less attractive. A new trap modeled after the YSS cross, compact but with high trap surface area to increase fly captures, could be an effective option or addition to rectangles for monitoring R. indifferens.