Experiments with Protein Hydrolysate Bait Sprays for Control of the Walnut Husk Fly1

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Abstract
A controlled corn-protein hydrolysate, Staley's Protein Insecticide Bait No. 7, was shown to be the most attractive of the materials tried as attractive components of toxic bait sprays for experimental use in control of the walnut husk fly ( Rhagoletis completa Cress.). Malathion wettable powder proved superior to technical Dipterex as a toxic component. Bait sprays were compared with standard full-coverage sprays of malathion (without attractant) in area control of adults (a) by observing their effects on the fly population as indexed by bait pails containing glycine- sodium hydroxide solution and (b) by recording larval infestation of walnuts. Comparison of treatments, on the basis of the length of time that fly populations were controlled, showed that bait- type spray coverage without the protein hydrolysate attractant strongly depressed fly populations for 5 to 7 days, and with the attractant, for 12 days. Standard full-coverage sprays (using twice the amount of malathion) depressed fly populations for 9 to 11 days. Very good control of the walnut husk fly resulted from two bait sprays or from standard full-coverage treatments spaced at a 25-day interval. Although fly populations built up during the second half of this interval, little oviposition occurred. However, bait sprays were observed to result in high populations of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.) on Placentia and Payne walnut varieties during the second year of trial. Such mite infestations did not occur in solid blocks of Eurekas, a variety very susceptible to walnut husk fly but less susceptible to this species of mite than the other varieties listed.

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