Comparative field studies of various traps and attractants of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae

In the framework of an ongoing testing and refining process of a mass trapping method, using a combination of semiochemicals, for the control of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae, four trap designs, three trap colors, six different food attractants and two pheromone formulations were compared under field conditions. No differences were observed between the trap designs and the food attractants tested. Trap color had a significant effect in preference tests only. Traps combining food attractants and pheromones attracted higher numbers of both male and female flies but the differences became statistically significant only in cases of low trap densities. Pheromones enclosed in cyclodextrenes were not as attractive as standard pheromone formulations. The findings of these tests allow a choice among trap types and semiochemicals for cost reduction and convenience, but not for enhancement of the efficacy of the method.