Plant oil mixtures modulate methyl eugenol attraction and longevity for Bactrocera zonata (Saund.) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Peach Fruit Fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata, is a major global horticultural threat. While Methyl eugenol (ME) is the standard male attractant for monitoring and annihilation, its high cost and volatility necessitate optimization. This study evaluated seven plant essential oils (castor bean, jujube, lemon, lemongrass, neem, rosemary, and sesame) as 1:1 (V/V) diluents with ME to enhance lure stability and attraction. Field trials in an Egyptian citrus orchard used sticky Jackson traps to record weekly captures (Flies/Trap/Day) over six weeks without lure renewal. Results showed that ME combined with Neem or Jujube oil maintained mean attraction levels statistically equivalent to pure ME. Notably, the Jujube oil formulation demonstrated superior persistence, outperforming the control into the fifth week. Conversely, lemongrass oil showed rapid decline after initial high catches, and lemon oil significantly reduced attraction. These findings suggest that Neem and Jujube oil formulations can create more cost-effective, longer-lasting lures, reducing the volume of ME required and the frequency of trap maintenance in PFF management programs.