Biological significance of methyl eugenol which attracts males of fruit flies

甲基丁香酚(ME)对桔小实蝇及其复合体有很强的引诱作用。在日本冲绳岛孤立的岛屿上，每月分发2块纤维块(4.5x4.5x0.9 cm)，每公顷投放10g有毒ME诱饵，完全消灭了橘子实蝇种群。在一年左右的时间里，每个岛屿都完成了根除工作。这与其他男性诱饵，如球杆诱饵和三角诱饵形成了鲜明对比。所以问题是，与其他果蝇诱饵相比，甲基丁香酚为什么如此有效。为了回答这个问题，在印度尼西亚研究了甲基丁香酚(ME)对白僵菌属(B.borsalis)复合体--杨桃芽孢杆菌(Bactrocera carambolae(Drew&Hancock))的引诱作用。大约600只新出现的雄性和雌性在它们2天大的时候被释放到室外的屏蔽笼里。在筛子笼中放置了METrap、盆栽杨桃果树、杨桃和成人食品。雄性在被释放后立即开始对我做出反应。在接触ME期间，至少有2只雄性与雌性交配，而99%的雄性被记录为因诱捕或其他因素而死亡。这些结果表明，大多数男性在性成熟之前就会对我做出反应。讨论了一些可能提高ME效率的因素。

Methyl eugenol (ME) is knownto be a powerful attractant to the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and its complex of species. Monthly distribution of 2 fiber blocks (4.5 by 4.5 by 0.9cm) baited with 10g of poisoned ME per hectare resulted in complete eradication of oriental fruit fly populations on the isolated islands of Okinawa, Japan. Eradication was accomplished on each island within a year or so. This is contrasted to other male lures such as cue lure and trimedlure. So the question is why is methyl eugenol is so effective as compared with other fruit fly lures. Toanswer this question, the attractiveness of methyl eugenol (ME) to Bactrocera carambolae (Drew & Hancock), which is a species of the B.borsalis complex, was examined in Indonesia. Approximately 600 newly emerged males and females were released into an outdoor screen cage when they were 2 days old. An MEtrap, a potted carambola fruit tree, Averrhoa carambola L., and adult food were placed in the screen cage. Males began to respond to ME immediatrly after release. At least 2 males mated with females during exposure to ME,whereas>99% of the males were recorded as dead by trapping or other factors. These results indicate that most males respond to ME before they become sexually mature. some factors which may enhance the efficiency of ME were discussed.