Trapping Drosophila repleta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) using color and volatiles

Abstract

Color and volatile stimulus preferences of Drosophila repleta (Patterson) Diptera: Drosophilidae), a nuisance pest of swine and poultry facilities, were tested using sticky card and bottle traps. Attractions to red, yellow, blue, orange, green, purple, black, grey and a white-on-black contrast treatment were tested in the laboratory. Drosophila repleta preferred red over yellow and white but not over blue. Other than showing preferences over the white control, D. repleta was not observed to have preferences between other colors and shade combinations. Pinot Noir red wine, apple cider vinegar, and wet swine feed were used in volatile preference field trials. Red wine was more attractive to D. repleta than the other volatiles tested, but there were no differences in response to combinations of a red wine volatile lure and various colors. Odor was found to play the primary role in attracting D. repleta.