Attractiveness for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Dipt., Tephritidae) of mango (Mangifera indica, cv. Tommy Atkins) airborne terpenes

The airborne volatiles of the Tommy Atkins cultivar of mango (Mangifera ind ica L.), a fruit frequently damaged by Ceratitis capitata, were analysed by aeration of fresh fruits, adsorption and thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ethanol and acetic acid were identified as the major components, together with longifolene, which has not been desc ribed before in the mango aroma and other terpenes (alpha -pinene, 3-carene , p-cymene, limonene and alpha -terpinolene). The attractiveness of the ide ntified terpenes for C. capitata was tested in laboratory cages and the res ults showed that p-cymene and limonene were the best terpene attractants fo r both males and females.