Competitiveness of fertilizers with proteinaceous baits applied in Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae) control

The use of protein-based baits applied with insecticide or within several varieties of traps is still a widespread tool in fruit flies control. Fruit flies' proteinaceous baits, agricultural supplements and animal waste just as any decomposing biological matter share a common feature of production and emitting gaseous ammonia. This process is highly influenced by biotic and abiotic factors affecting the instability of ammonia release rate. Several common fertilizers were as attractive as several common commercial fruit fly baits to Mediterranean fruit fly females. Chicken litter served also as nutritional source of protein decreasing females' eagerness to baits. The potential of ammonia-emitting sources to interfere with fruit fly baits during control is discussed. The implications of using fertilizers during control procedure should be taken into account.