Efficacy Of Locally Formulated Baits In Managing The Melon Fly, Bactrocera Cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae

ABSTRACT

Laboratory and field experiments were carried out in Morogoro Region from August 2008

to June 2009 to evaluate effectiveness of locally formulated baits in managing the melon

fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Cocquillett) (Diptera:Tephritidae). An assay was design to

determine the quantity of D. elliptica that could kill more than 50% of B. cucurbitae

populations, where by roots of D. elliptica were sun dried and prepare a crude extracts then

were mixed with brewer’s yeast and the other one mixed with molasses at different

concentration and time of exposure then administered to the adult of B.cucurbitae. LD50

value of the extracts of D. elliptica in Molasses and Brewer’s yeast against B. cucurbitae

was observed at 24 hours and 36 hours time of exposure at concentrations of 1.5 g/l to 2.5

g/l respectively, mortalities were increased with concentrations and the time of exposure to

D. elliptica in either Molasses or Brewer’s yeast. Completely Randomized Block Design

(CRBD) in three locations was used with four treatments each applied on an individual

plot. Four weeks after sowing baits were sprayed on the roosting host plant while an

insecticide was sprayed on the crop following recommended doses. D. ellipica extracts

mixed in molasses sprayed on border crop show significance difference compared with the

Dimethoate 40 EC sprayed on crop, and Spinosad (GF-120) sprayed on border crop. The

efficiency of locally formulated baits in monitoring the B. cucurbitae population was tested

on plots of watermelon crop. McPhail traps were hung on a wooden pole 1.5 m above the

ground and prepared recommended bait solutions were added to each trap. Significant

different were observed in the efficacy of brewer’s waste, solulys, molasses and Protein

baits in monitoring B. cucurbitae population. Molasses was proved to be more effective in

attracting large means number of B. cucurbitae followed by brewer’s waste.