ABSTRACT
The Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Mexfly), is a pest of economic importance with the potential to cause millions of dollars in damage to citrus and other fruits. This chapter presents the first-year results from a three-year field study (2014–2017) conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of bait stations with Spinosad embedded in a wax matrix to control Mexfly. Spinosad is produced by a naturally occurring bacteria, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, and is considered an organic insecticide acceptable for use by organic growers. The flies feed on the wax matrix, and the Spinosad acts as a stomach poison killing the flies. Each bait station contains a two-component lure consisting of the attractants, putrescine, and ammonium acetate. The study used 500 bait stations strategically placed based on historic wild fly capture data at 12 locations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, United States. Results indicate that a hat or protective covering over the bait station extends the residual killing effect with fly mortality of up to 3 months from aged bait stations taken from the field. In addition, a reduction in wild Mexfly capture was observed in the areas where the bait stations were used. Potential uses would be around wild fly finds, in abandoned or poorly maintained groves, in organic groves, or with permission, in residential citrus plantings. This study indicates that bait stations are another valuable integrated pest management (IPM) tool for program managers in their effort to control Mexfly.
