Oriental Fruit Fly: Thickened Formulations of Methyl Eugenol in Spot Applications for Male Annihilation1

Abstract

A viscous formulation of the attractant (methyl eugenol) with a pesticide (naled) applied to exposed surfaces killed more males of Dacus dorsalis Hendel than an equal amount of unthickened bait freshly applied to the wick of a standard survey after 6 wk of weathering in southern Califonia. These pastelike formulations, which have been used in California as a substitute for the intensive use of fruit fly traps to achieve eradication of introduced oriental fruit flies by male annihilation, were compared in Hawaii in replicated small-plot tests after weathering in Califonia. The formulation used on wicks within traps also was tested on ½-in. fiberboard cubes at the rate of 1.7 ml/cube and found to be superior to the trap for 6 wk. Similar formulations weathered in warmer temperature and higher rainfall in Hawaii also were effective, but the pastelike formulations deteriorated faster under those conditions.