Field Study on Mass-Trapping for the Control of Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), in Orange Orchards in Türkiye
Abstract
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a destructive quarantine pest that causes significant economic damage to fruit crops. Chemical control is a common method used against this pest, but it has harmful effects on the environment and human health. Biotechnical control is one of the most eco-friendly control methods and has been used successfully against C. capitata. The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of mass trapping as a biotechnical control method in orange orchards located in three different regions of Türkiye: Mersin, Aydın, and Adana. The study found that the average number of C. capitata in decis traps was 94.5, 30.9, and 114.4 in Mersin, Aydın, and Adana, respectively. The corresponding numbers in pheromone traps (control parcels) were 193.3, 70.4, and 221.1. The efficacy of traps was determined with four traps per decare for each location and efficacy was 90.05%, 93.43%, and 94.01% in Mersin, Aydın, and Adana, respectively. Mass trapping can be an effective strategy to control C. capitata populations as part of Integrated Pest Management programs. By adopting sustainable and effective methods like mass trapping, the negative effects of chemical control can be reduced. Farmers should be informed about the effectiveness and importance of biotechnical control methods and consider adopting them as part of their pest control practices to protect their fruit crops and preserve the environment and the community's health.
Keywords
References
- Abbott, W.S. (1925). A method of computing the effectiveness of an insecticide. Journal of Economic Entomology, 18: 265-267.
- Akman, K., & Zümreoğlu, A. (1973). Ege Turunçgillerinde Akdeniz Meyvesineği (Ceratitis capitata Wied.)’nin Surveyi. Zirai Mücadele Araştırma Yıllığı, 7: 41-42. (in Turkish).
- Akyol, E. (2014). Hatay İli Mandalina Bahçesinde Kitlesel Tuzaklama Yöntemi İle Akdeniz Meyve Sineği, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)'nin Kontrolü ve Zarar Oranının Belirlenmesi. MSc Thesis, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay.
- Alemany, A., Miranda, M.A., Alonso, R., & Martin Escorza, C. (2004). Efficacy of C. capitata (Wied) (Diptera: Tephritidae) female mass trapping. Edge-effect and pest multiplier role of unmanaged fruit host. Boletin de Sanidad Vegetal Plagas, 30: 255-264.
- Bodenheimer, F.S. (1951) History of Entomophagy. In Insects as Human Food: A Chapter of the Ecology of Man. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, pp. 39-69.
- Başpınar, H., Çakmak, İ., Başpınar, N., & Koçlu, T. (2009). Bazı cezbedicilerin turunçgillerde Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)’ya etkileri. Türkiye III. Bitki Koruma Kongresi, Van, Türkiye, (in Turkish).
- Bircan, B., Koca, A.S., & Kaçar, G. (2020). Akdeniz meyvesineği (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann)(Diptera: Tephritidae)’nin tanımı, dağılımı, biyolojisi, zararı ve mücadele yöntemleri. Journal of the Institute of Science and Technology, 10(4): 2353-2365. https://doi.org/10.21597/jist.691427
- Delrio, G., & Zumreoglu, A. (1983). Attractability Range and Capture Efficiency of Medfly Traps, Fruit Flies of Economic Importance. Proc. CEC/IOBC Intern. Sympos. Athens. Greece 16-19 Nov. 1982. A.A. Balkema, 642 p.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Horticultural Production (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
April 1, 2026
Submission Date
January 30, 2026
Acceptance Date
March 12, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 1