Efficacy of methyl eugenol as attractant for Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Fruit fly is one of the major pests that attack agronomical commodities, as well as the insect becomes a major pest in safflower plantation all over the world. The objective of this research was to study the response of fruit fly on methyl eugenol (ME) used as attractant. The safflower fly is one of the most important pests of safflower in Iran. Losses caused by larval feeding leads to disrupted plant activities, reduction in flower buds, and ultimately to decreased quality and quantity of crop. Infestation of bolls began 15 days after the formation of flower heads. Laboratory studies show that among the three species of fruit flies tested for attractiveness to methyl eugenol, male of Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Chaetrollia carthami (Diptera: Tephritidae) showed no significant difference but both are significantly different (P < 0.05) with Trellia luteolla (Diptera: Tephritidae). Virgin adult male's A. helianthi more than 18 days old were greatly attracted to methyl eugenol.

Efficacy, Bait trap, Control, Safflower fly