Oriental fruit fly¹

Diptera: Tephritidae.

and melon fly¹

Diptera: Tephritidae.

: Biological and chemical studies of smoke produced by males²

Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute endorsement by the USDA.

Abstract

A substance visible as “smoke”; is emitted by males of both the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, and the melon fly, D. cucurbitae Coquillet, at dusk, the period associated with the mating of these tephritids. The emanations were attractive to virgin females. Light‐yellow and bright‐orange deposits were obtained on Millipore filters used to trap smoke produced by males of D. dorsalis and D. cucurbitae, respectively. Chemical analysis indicated that large amounts of trisodiunt phosphate and other phosphorus salts were present in the smoke of both species. Melon fly smoke also contained unbranched C₂₅, C₂₇, and C₂₉ saturated hydrocarbons, as well as a lactone, while oriental fruit fly smoke contained heptacosane, N‐(2‐methylbutyl)‐propionamide and a small amount of several high‐molecular weight substances.

Key words:

• Oriental fruit fly
• melon fly
• Dacus dorsalis
• Dacus cucurbitae
• male smoke
• pheromones

Notes

Diptera: Tephritidae.

Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute endorsement by the USDA.

Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Honolulu, HI 96804.

Biologically Active Natural Products Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705. To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Insect Attractants, Behavior and Basic Biology Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Gainesville, FL 32604

Deceased.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K. Ohinata

3 ∗