title: A new trap and lure for Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae).
abstract: We conducted a series of nine laboratory experiments testing the response of "vinegar flies," Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae), released in bioassay chambers to experimental traps and lures. These experiments showed that an effective trap could be constructed from a clear 225-ml screw-cap jar fitted with a hollow 8-mm-diameter cylindrical cross bridge. Flies could enter the trap from either end of the cylindrical "gate" and in turn could enter the interior chamber of the trap through a cut out portion at mid-span of the cylinder. The experiments also showed that a natural-component lure could be made using a teabag containing freeze-dried banana powder, yeast, and carrageenan gum powder as a humectant. When dipped in water for 10-15 s and then placed in the bottom of a trap, the teabag provided effective attraction for at least 7 d. Captured flies were immobilized on a sticky card placed in the trap, allowing them to be easily seen. Unlike other traps that cannot be opened and have liquid lures, the cylindrical-gate trap can be reused repeatedly if the teabag and sticky card are replaced. A final two experiments showed that the prototype operational cylindrical-gate trap with a teabag lure captured 3.3 and 2.3 times more released flies, respectively, than the next best of three commercially available traps.
authors: Contech Enterprises Inc., 7572 Progress Way, Delta, British Columbia V4G 1E9, Canada.
authors: Anna L
authors: AL
authors: Birmingham
authors: Ervin
authors: E
authors: Kovacs
authors: Jean Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Lafontaine
authors: Norman
authors: N
authors: Avelino
authors: John H
authors: JH
authors: Borden
authors: Isak S
authors: IS
authors: Andreller
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Gries
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000737:chemistry; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D007300:Insect Control / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D028521:Musa / Q000737:chemistry; D009812:Odorants; D010675:Pheromones; D011208:Powders / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D015002:Yeast, Dried / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D011208:Powders; C010411:insect attractants; D002351:Carrageenan