Question

Methyl eugenol mixed with spinosad is used to manage

• A. Bactrocera rufomaculata
• B. Bagrada cruciferum
• C. Bactrocera cucurbitae
• D. Bactrocera dorsalis

Hint:

Always remember:
Methyl Eugenol $\rightarrow$ Attracts Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly).
Cue-lure $\rightarrow$ Attracts Bactrocera cucurbitae (Melon Fly).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) is a widely implemented pest control strategy that utilizes highly specific sex attractant lures combined with a toxicant to selectively attract and kill male insect pests.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the specific response of different fruit fly species to chemical attractants:
Methyl eugenol is a naturally occurring organic compound that acts as an exceptionally powerful sex parapheromone for males of certain fruit fly species belonging to the family Tephritidae.
Specifically, males of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, are strongly attracted to methyl eugenol over long distances.
When methyl eugenol is mixed with an eco-friendly insecticide like spinosad (a biological insecticide derived from the fermentation of Saccharopolyspora spinosa), it creates a highly effective bait trap.
Male flies are attracted by the lure, ingest or contact the bait, and are quickly killed by the spinosad.
This drastically reduces the male population, preventing successful mating and reducing subsequent generations.
In contrast, Bactrocera cucurbitae (melon fly) is not attracted to methyl eugenol; instead, it is highly attracted to Cue-lure.
Bagrada cruciferum is a painted bug, and Bactrocera rufomaculata is a stem borer beetle, neither of which responds to methyl eugenol.
Thus, the combination is used to manage Bactrocera dorsalis.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Methyl eugenol mixed with spinosad is used to manage the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis.