Attraction of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) to selected gut microbiota supernatants: implications for pest control

Abstract

Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) is a distructive quarantine insect pest that causes significant economic losses on cucurbit crops. To explore a green control approach, we investigated the behavioral responses of B. cucurbitae larvae and adults to bacterial suspensions, sediments, and supernatants derived from eight gut microbial strains across four distinct genera. The proboscis extension response was used to evaluate the impact of these microbial strains. In addition, using food selection experiments, two-choice trap methods, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we isolated and identified the predominant volatile compounds in the microbiota supernatants.