Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A 4 (2014) 359-363 Earlier title: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, ISSN 1939-1250 Evaluation of Ceranock Attract and Kill System to Control Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata) in Citrus Orchards of Iraq Mohammed Zaidan Khalaf 1 , Hussein F. Alrubiae 1 and Shakir Al-Zaidi 2 1. Agricultural Research Directorate, Ministry of Science & Technology, Baghdad 00964, Iraq 2. Russell IPM Ltd., London 004401, United Kingdom Received: February 19, 2014 / Published: April 20, 2014. Abstract: Field experiments were conducted using Ceranock bait station, “attract and kill” system to combat Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in citrus orchards of Baghdad and Wasit governorates, Iraq, during 2013-2014 season. Control program was implemented in six citrus orchards of mixed citrus varieties: Orange, Citrus sinensis; Mandarin, C. reticulate; Lemon, C. lemon; and Bergamot, C. aurantium. Ceranock traps 240/ha were hanged in trees of two separate orchards in each location, with third orchard served as control. Delta and McPhail traps supplied with pheromone were used to monitor Medfly population density in treated and control orchards. Results indicated that Medfly activity and presence in citrus orchards started during the first week of October coincide with the beginning of fruits ripening. The result indicated that Medfly population density in Wasit orchards was more than that of Baghdad orchards. The total trapped insects after two weeks of Ceranock were 59, 94, 142 and 205, 277, 765 adults for the firsst, second and the control orchards in the two locations, respectively. The percentage of fruit injuries were increased dramatically when fruits mature and its color turn to yellowish reaching of 35%, 56%, 21% and 32% in mandarin and orange fruits in Baghdad and Wasit orchards, respectively, compared with 3%, 4%, 4% and 5% in treated orchards, respectively. Calculated percentage of fruit damage indicated that reduction in injuries were 97% in mandarin and 96% in orange at Baghdad orchards and were 95% and 96%, respectively, in Wasit orchards. The results of this study demonstrate clearly the efficacy of Ceranock bait station, “attract and kill” system as a control measure for Medfly in citrus orchards. Key words: Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, ceranock traps, citrus, Iraq. 1. Introduction Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata consider as one of the most important insect pest causing economic losses in many countries around the word, invade around 19 million hectares of different trees, including 7 million hectares of citrus orchards [1, 2]. Many various methods have been used to determine the population density and control of this pest. Ali and Mohammed [3] used tephri and sticky traps to monitor fruit fly species including C. capitata in Sudan. Corresponding authors: Mohammed Zaidan Khalaf, professor, research fields: expert in entomology, control programs of citrus and palm pests. E-mail: mkhalaf34@yahoo.co.uk. Ahmad et al. [4] mentioned that Medfly present on the costal regions of Syria, year around and infest many economically important fruits, including peaches (75%) infestation level and figs (30%). Aida et al. [5] monitored population of Medfly in Saint MiGuel Island, Spain using sticky traps. Wong et al. [6] and Ruiz et al. [7] used different types of traps for mass trapping strategy for this pest. The same technique was applied to monitor the population fluctuations of Medfly in central Iraq fruit orchards [8]. Evaluation of certain attractants of Medfly in Central Jordan Valley has been conducted [9]. Attraction traps were used to determine the onset of pest activity in Turkey orchards as a tool to starting application of insecticides [10]. D DAVID PUBLISHING