METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS TO CONTROL TEPHRITIDAE FRUIT FLIES

摘要

Methods and compositions, which rely upon borax toxicants, to control Tephritidae fruit fly populations below economic thresholds are disclosed. More particularly, methods and compositions which utilize borax toxicants are disclosed which cause the Tephritidae fruit flies to die prematurely or which interfere with the female Tephritidae fruit flies to produce eggs for a period of about seven days. A preferred borax toxicant is borax wherein an effective amount in the compositions to accomplish the above is between at least about 0.01M and about 0.12M or more. A lethal amount of borax that should be consumed by the fruit flies in about a 24 hour period is believed to be between at least about 5mM and about 10mM or more, whereas the amount of borax that should be consumed by the female fruit flies within about a 24 hour period to prevent the female fruit flies from producing eggs for about seven days or longer is believed to be at least about 2.5mM and 5mM or more.