Mass trapping of fruit flies
Fruit fly control through the use of traps and attractants are proven effective methods for the reduction of pest populations and effective control.
For the mass trapping of fruit flies can be used food-like attractants or parapheromones .
Food-like attractans
They are substances that attract insects by interpreting them as hosts suitable for laying eggs. They are used in a suitable trap, and usually in conjunction with the use of an insecticide. In general, they are specific, and mainly attract females, which are the ones that cause damage to the fruit, which is why very effective levels of control are achieved.
Parapheromones
They are not exactly pheromones because they are not naturally produced by any species in particulier, but they act as attractants for male fruit flies. They are used in a suitable trap, and usually in conjunction with the use of an insecticide. They are not specific, so that the same parapheromone can be active against different species of tephritids.
