Exposure to alpha-copaene and alpha-copaene-containing oils enhances mating success of male Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera : Tephritidae)

Previous research revealed that exposure to the synthetic attractant trimed lure increased the mating success of male Mediterranean fruit flies, Cerati tis capitata (Wiedemann). In the current study, I investigated whether a si milar effect resulted from male exposure to alpha -copaene, a naturally occ urring compound found in many host plants, and two alpha -copaene-containin g essential oils, angelica seed oil (Angelica archangelica L.) and ginger r oot oil, (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). For all three substances, mature mal es were exposed to 20 mul of the attractant over a 6-h period and then held 2 d before testing. In field-cage trials, treated males (exposed to attrac tants) obtained significantly more matings than control males (no exposure) for all three substances. In an additional experiment with ginger root oil , treated males prevented from contacting the oil directly (i.e., exposed t o the odor only) still exhibited a mating advantage over control males. Dis cussion centers on the influence of alpha -copaene-bearing plants on the ma ting system of C. capitata and the possibility of using attractants in prer elease exposure of males to increase the effectiveness of sterile insect re lease programs.