Effect of Protein Food Baits in Attracting Fruit Flies in Mango Orchard

Studies were made on evaluation of protein food baits in attracting fruit flies in mango orchard (cv. Mallika) during 2008–2009 at GKVK campus, Bangalore. Among various protein baits, case in + sugar + mango was the most superior food bait attracting significantly highest number of male fruit flies over an exposure of four weeks accounting for a mean trap catch of 26.00 fruit flies/trap/week. The food baits containing casein + sugar + banana attracted significantly highest number of female fruit flies over an exposure of four weeks accounting for a mean trap catch of 7.00 fruit flies/trap/week. When the total fruit flies irrespective of species were considered, traps baited with casein + sugar + mango was the most superior foodbait attracting significantly highest number of fruit flies with a mean trap catch of 31.66 fruit flies/trap/week. The traps baited with casein + sugar + pineapple was recorded lowest number of fruit flies.