ADDING METHYL-SUBSTITUTED AMMONIA DERIVATIVES TO A FOOD-BASED SYNTHETIC ATTRACTANT ON CAPTURE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND MEXICAN FRUIT-FLIES (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE)

Field trials were conducted in Guatemala to determine tile effect of a ddition of methyl-substituted ammonia derivatives (methylamine, dimeth ylamine or trimethylamine) to a food-based synthetic attractant for th e Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). and the Mex ican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew). Addition of trimethylamine t o traps baited with ammonium acetate anti putrescine increased capture of C. capitata, but not A. ludens, over traps baited with ammonium ac etate and putrescine alone, in all tests. Addition of methylamine or d imethylamine had no effect on either species, More C. capitata were ca ptured in adhesive paper cylindrical traps baited with tested combinat ions of synthetic lures than in McPhail traps baited with liquid prote in bait (torula yeast solution). In tests conducted during the dry sea son in Guatemala, more female A. ludens were captured in liquid protei n-baited McPhail traps than in adhesive paper cylindrical traps baited with ammonium acetate. putrescine, and trimethylamine. However during the rainy season, adhesive paper cylindrical traps baited with ammoni um acetate. putrescine, and trimethylamine captured significantly more female A. ludens than liquid protein-baited McPhail traps. No C. capi tata were captured in traps baited with trimethylamine alone, indicati ng that trimethylamine is a potent synergist to ammonium acetate and p utrescine for the capture of C. capitata.