Mexican fruit fly attractants: effects of 1-pyrroline and other amines on attractiveness of a mixture of ammonia, methylamine, and putrescine

Several amines were tested alone and in combination with AMPu, an attractant mixture containing ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium carbonate, methylamine hydrochloride, and putrescine, for attractiveness to Mexican fruit flies (Anastrepha ludens Loew). In laboratory bioassay, 1-pyrroline, 3-pyrroline, 2-(methylamino)ethanol, spermidine, spermine, and indole-3-acetic acid were significantly more attractive than solvent controls. In orchard tests, traps baited with combinations of AMPu with dimethylamine hydrochloride, ethylamine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, or pyrrolidine captured fewer flies than traps baited with AMPu alone. Traps containing AMPu plus additional ammonium bicarbonate were much less attractive than AMPu alone. Combinations of AMPu with 1-pyrroline were about 50% more attractive than AMPu alone to both males and females. Combinations of AMPu with 3-pyrroline were not significantly more attractive than AMPu alone