Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata is considered a major pest of fruit production worldwide. It is a highly polyphagous species with big capability to adapt and spread into several different environments, giving it the status of a threating invasive species for fruit production in many countries. C. capitata’s high adaptability is mainly related to its life history, behavior and host location ecology, in which semiochemicals play a major role. Several control strategies have been developed using sexual and feeding attractants in monitoring and mass trapping programs, but little is known about the potential of plant-based compounds. These products, such botanical extracts and essential oils, could affect the behavior of pests like C. capitata. By studying and understanding adults’ host location behavior when exposed to olfactory signals (attractant and repellents), the aim of this research is to explore the potential of odour sources for use in C. capitata control strategies for small and medium scale fruit production in Bolivian valleys. This research includes evaluation of locally available proteinbased attractants, screening and evaluation of native plant extracts and essential oils as spatial repellents, investigation of the C. capitata interaction with a local apple variety with potential as a trap-crop, and finally the study of the possibilities of the combined use of those components for use in the field.