Development of bait station to complement attract-and-kill agents of Zeugodacus tau (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Abstract Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an important agricultural pest currently managed primarily through the application of insecticides due to limited control strategies. Bait station devices are target specific and have emerged as a behaviorally based alternative to traditional insecticide sprays for managing Z. tau. In this study, we designed a bait station by integrating female-biased olfactory, visual, and gustatory elements, and a killing agent in a wax-matrix. Our results showed that the wax-matrix integrated with spinetoram showed the highest toxicity to immature and mature Z. tau females. Furthermore, the color and shape of the spinetoram bait station significantly influenced its attractiveness and toxicity to female Z. tau. Green sausage-shaped exteriors were the most effective color and shape examined. Subsequent experiments showed a length-dependent effect on mortality and visiting frequencies of Z. tau females when the bait stations were 9–13 cm long. The addition of the olfactory stimulus of 5% ammonium acetate to the bait station attracted a higher number of mature Z. tau females than the control. The killing efficacy of the weathered bait station was similar to that of the fresh station within an 8-week period (over 794 mm of rainfall). The bait station developed herein would provide new insight into the attract-and-kill strategy for Z. tau and alleviate the pressure of the actual management program for this pest.