Preference of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to volatiles of green or yellow mango and orange fruits

The response of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) to volatiles of yellow and green mango (Mangifera indica L. var. Haden) and orange (Citrus aurantium L. var. Valencia) fruits was evaluated. Female and male flies were evaluated in two stages: mated and unmated. Preference results showed that volatiles of mango and orange and green fruits attracted a greater number of flies, compared with other options (pless than or equal to0.05). Males and females had a similar level of response to volatiles of both green fruits (p>0.05). Mated males and females had a greater response to volatiles from green fruits (pless than or equal to0.05) than unmated males and females. The importance of sexual maturity of the Mexican fruit fly in their attraction to the tested volatiles is discussed. It is concluded that volatiles from green fruits (10 to 11 degreesBrix) from mango and orange can be an important alternative to the traditional hydrolyzed protein bait for attraction of A. ludens.