Control of oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) [Diptera: Tephritidae] infesting mango using methyl eugenol in Abia State, Nigeria

Fruit flies are serious insect pests on fruits. They reduce the quality and limit export potentials of fruits. Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental fruitfly) is a destructive specie. Presently, no control measure is applied by the majority of the farmers in Nigeria. Methyl eugenol in plug formulation was evaluated for mass trapping of B. dorsalis. Lynfield traps baited with the lures were used in mango orchards in selected locations in Abia state, Nigeria during the mango growing season. The traps were hung at a height of 2 m above the ground within the canopy layer. All traps were inspected for captured fruit flies at weekly interval. Methyl eugenol was effective in attraction of males of B. dorsalis lowering the infestation level of B. dorsalis. The mean number of B. dorsalis trapped in different locations in Abia State, Nigeria progressively increased throughout the duration of the experiment. The mean population of B. dorsalis trapped per week on mango ranged from 229.80 - 427.10 indicating high prevalence of the fruitfly in the locations trapped. Results obtained showed the effectiveness of methyl eugenol for mass trapping and suppression of B. dorsalis in mango orchards. Trapping of B. dorsalis with methyl eugenol is effective and can be incorporated in Integrated Pest Management programmes.