ATTRACTION OF FEMALE PAPAYA FRUIT-FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) TO MALE PHEROMONE AND HOST FRUIT

A green papaya fruit or an extract of green papaya fruit peel increased unmated female papaya fruit fly (Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker) attraction to male pheromone at low pheromone release rates. Green papaya peel extract also increased mated female attraction to male pheromone, but only at the highest pheromone release rates tested. Such enhanced responses may aid the ability of females to locate hosts by responding to a combination of male pheromone released from host fruit and fruit odor.