Relationship between Hidrogenionic Potential (pH) of Protein-based Baits and Attraction of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)

Hidrogenionic potential (pH) of the baits plays a fundamental role in attracting fruit flies. So, the purposes of this study were to study the effect of pH-level on the ability of protein-based baits to attract Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under field conditions. Three concentrations of Buminal (2.5, 5 and 10%) in addition to three concentrations of ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, di-ammonium phosphate and acetic acid (1, 2 and 3%) added to Buminal 5% were tested by using the modified Nadel traps in navel orange and mandarin orchards. The obtained data showed that the highest effective treatment in attracting C. capitata adults in navel orange and mandarin orchards was that of Buminal + 3% of ammonium acetate, where, pH-levels ranged between 6.32 and 6.89. Buminal + acetic acid when used at pH-levels ranged between 3.73 and 4.43 were less attractive to C. capitata. All of the tested treatments obviously attracted females more than males. Statistically, C. capitata adults specifically were females affected by pH-level more than concentration percentage. C. capitata preferred baits which had pH-levels ranged between 5.5 and 8.5 and the highest attractive treatments were occurred between 6.32 and 8.29