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Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Dissertation (MSc (Agricultural Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.

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Other Authors: Weldon, Christopher W.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2024
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Weldon, Christopher W.
author_browse Weldon, Christopher W.
author_facet Weldon, Christopher W.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc (Agricultural Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/99395
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:22.258Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2024
publishDateRange 2024
publishDateSort 2024
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/99395 Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae) Weldon, Christopher W. Msizisons@gmail.com Manrakhan, Aruna Ramaoka, Msizi Ronald UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Protein bait Fruit flies Foraging behaviour Olfactory response Active space Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-02 SDG-02: Zero hunger Dissertation (MSc (Agricultural Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. In sub-Saharan Africa, three fruit fly pests, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), are among those of economic significance for a number of commercially grown fruit and vegetable crops. Their presence leads to high yield losses and restricted access to export markets, and limits the economic and social value derived from these commodities. Protein baits are extensively used for monitoring and control of these and other fruit fly species. Control of fruit flies using protein baits or bait application technique (BAT- an attract and kill tactic) requires a sound understanding of their foraging patterns for protein so that application of baits leads to maximum response. The main aim of this project was to improve fruit fly control using tactics that incorporate protein baits. The spatial and temporal foraging patterns of Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis capitata and Ceratitis cosyra for protein baits within a citrus tree with regard to fly age, sex and nutritional status were established in field cages. This was followed by the a study that determined the response of the three pest species to protein baits applied at two different densities. Results showed that bait location in the canopy affects response by B. dorsalis, C. capitata, and C. cosyra with more flies foraging for protein in the middle to upper canopy heights of the tree compared to protein bait positioned on the lower canopy and directly on the ground. The first study also revealed that nutritional status, age and sex influenced protein bait response, with 1 day-old flies with prior access to protein showing a lower response to protein bait, while 10-day-old protein-deprived flies intensely foraged for protein regardless of sex or species. Females responded more to protein baits than males, and foraging for protein peaked in the warmest part of the day when temperatures were between 20-30℃ at a relative humidity ranging between 40-80%. Furthermore, the second study showed that species, diet history and bait density had a significant effect on the response to protein bait. Ceratitis capitata females were more attracted to the bait followed by B. dorsalis, and C. cosyra with the lowest response. Similar to results obtained in the first study, protein deprived females were most responsive to the bait regardless of species and bait density. Additionally, females were more attracted to 10 droplets of 200 µL protein bait applied in 10 traps than a single 2000 µL droplet applied in one trap regardless of diet and species. Based on the results, protein baits should be applied between the mid and upper canopy heights and should be evenly distributed on the tree canopy for increased effectiveness of Citrus Research International Zoology and Entomology MSc (Agricultural Entomology) Unrestricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences SDG-02: Zero Hunger 2024-11-25T13:34:50Z 2024-11-25T13:34:50Z 2025-04 2024-07 Dissertation * S2024 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99395 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.27900741.v1 10.25403/UPresearchdata.27900741 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Protein bait
Fruit flies
Foraging behaviour
Olfactory response
Active space
Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-02
SDG-02: Zero hunger
Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)
title Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)
title_full Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)
title_fullStr Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)
title_full_unstemmed Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)
title_short Foraging patterns for protein baits by South African fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae)
title_sort foraging patterns for protein baits by south african fruit fly pests diptera tephritidae
topic UCTD
Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Protein bait
Fruit flies
Foraging behaviour
Olfactory response
Active space
Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-02
SDG-02: Zero hunger
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99395