Attraction of Bactrocera cucurbitae and B. papayae (Diptera: Tephritidae) to the Odor of the Bacterium Enterobacter cloacae

Factors affecting the attraction of two fruit fly species [Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) and B. papayae Drew and Hancock] to the odor of the bacterium Enterobacter cloacae were studied. The experimental factors analyzed were sex (S), mating experience (M), feeding status (F) and host fruit provision (H). For B. cucurbitae, all main factors and their interaction did not affect net attractancy to bacterial odor except for the interaction between M and F where protein-deprived virgin flies gave significantly the lowest percentage net attractancy. In B. papayae, the main effects of S, M and H and the interaction effect of (S x M x F) and (M x F x H) significantly influenced net attractancy. Male flies which have mated and those not given host fruit showed high response to bacterial odor. For the interactive factors, mated male and protein-fed flies had higher net attractancy to bacterial odor compared with the virgin female and protein-fed flies. On the other hand, flies which had mated which were protein-deprived and were not provided with host fruit, gave higher net attractancy compared with virgin flies which were fed with protein and host fruit. B. papayae was more attracted to the bacterial odor than B. cucurbitae.