Insights into the use of a mass trapping strategy to control fruit fly populations in Guatemala: a study case in a citrus growing-area

Mass trapping is a control method for fruit fly pests (Diptera: Tephritidae) in fruit-growing areas. This study aimed at providing information on the use of mass trapping using Cera Trap[R] to control fruit fly pests in a citrus-growing area in Guatemala. We analyzed the "flies per number of traps * exposure d" index and sex ratios of fly populations based on 3 trapping types: a mass trapping network, a monitoring trap in the center of a plot involving mass trapping, and another trap installed in a plot without mass trapping. Sex ratios within and between trapping types, as well as the flies per number of traps x exposure d between trapping types were compared. Eleven fruit fly species were identified, and 4 of them were used in the analysis: Anastrepha ludens (Loew), Anastrepha distincta (Greene), Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), and Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (all Diptera: Tephritidae). No differences in the sex ratio were observed between the trapping types, but it was female-biased within mass trapping. A negative effect of mass trapping on the flies per number of traps x exposure d of pest populations was noted. We discussed the use of mass trapping highlighting citrus agroecosystems as a shelter for fruit fly communities including pest species. Further research on agroecological variables and their effect on the mass trapping strategy is suggested.