Attract‐and‐kill systems efficiency against <i><scp>C</scp>eratitis capitata</i> (<scp>D</scp>iptera: <scp>T</scp>ephritidae) and effects on non‐target insects in peach orchards

Abstract

Abstract For control of the M editerranean fruit fly C eratitis capitata ( D iptera: T ephritidae), the attract‐and‐kill or attracticide technique is an alternative to the spraying of traditional organophosphate pesticides. In this study, the effectiveness of C eranock and AAL &amp; K attract‐and‐kill bait stations was assessed for control of C . capitata in T unisian peach ( P runus persica ) orchards. Our results showed that, in orchards with early‐ripening varieties, the numbers of C . capitata males and fruit damage were significantly lower in plots treated with C eranock and AAL &amp; K bait stations than in plots treated with conventional organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides. In addition, the abundances of non‐target insects in the C hrysopidae, C occinellidae and M iridae were significantly greater in plots treated with the bait stations than in plots treated with the conventional pesticides; that is, the use of attract‐and‐kill bait stations had fewer negative effects than the application of conventional pesticides on the biological diversity in T unisian peach orchards. Overall, the results indicate that C eranock and AAL &amp; K attract‐and‐kill bait stations are useful alternatives for the control of C . capitata in T unisian peach orchards planted with early‐ripening varieties.