Attractancy evaluation of ceralure-B1 isomer via field captures of mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Commercially prepared ceralure‐B1, an attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), was evaluated in trapping tests by comparison with commercial ceralure and trimedlure. Jackson traps were used for medfly captures. The residual ceralure‐B1, ceralure, and trimedlure contents of aged dispensers were determined. The results of this study show that male medfly captures from traps with ceralure‐B1 were as high or higher than male medfly captures from traps with twice the quantity of ceralure or trimedlure. The use of regioselectively synthesized ceralure‐B1, enriched in B1, as a source of a more potent attractant than commercial ceralure and as a more persistent male medfly attractant than trimedlure is reported.