A New Trap and Lure for Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
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| Authors: | Birmingham, AL; Kovacs, E; Lafontaine, JP; Avelino, N; Borden, JH; Andreller, IS; Gries, G |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Journal: | Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 1018-1023 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | A New Trap and Lure for Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) |
| Abstract: | We conducted a series of nine laboratory experiments testing the response of "vinegar flies," Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae), released in bioassay chambers to experimental traps and lures. These experiments showed that an effective trap could be constructed from a clear 225-ml screw-cap jar fitted with a hollow 8-mm-diameter cylindrical cross bridge. Flies could enter the trap from either end of the cylindrical "gate" and in turn could enter the interior chamber of the trap through a cut out portion at mid-span of the cylinder. The experiments also showed that a natural-component lure could be made using a teabag containing freeze-dried banana powder, yeast, and carrageenan gum powder as a humectant. When dipped in water for 10-15 s and then placed in the bottom of a trap, the teabag provided effective attraction for at least 7 d. Captured flies were immobilized on a sticky card placed in the trap, allowing them to be easily seen. Unlike other traps that cannot be opened and have liquid lures, the cylindrical-gate trap can be reused repeatedly if the teabag and sticky card are replaced. A final two experiments showed that the prototype operational cylindrical-gate trap with a teabag lure captured 3.3 and 2.3 times more released flies, respectively, than the next best of three commercially available traps. |
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