Effect of the phytosanitary campaign against Anastrepha ludens on the composition of non-target insects

This study evaluated the effects of control methods and attractants used in the monitoring and control campaign against the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens) and the composition of entomofauna in an orange orchard. A Multilure trap, a plastic bottle baited with Cera Trap®, and a Multilure trap baited with torula pellets were used to capture insects within the treatments. The community of trapped insects did not vary between the control methods. However, their structure and composition differed significantly among traps. A significantly higher number of insect families were captured in traps baited with torula pellets than in traps with Cera Trap®. The number of individuals of Muscidae, Formicidae, Drosophilidae, Ichneumonidae, and Braconidae significantly contributed to the observed difference among monitoring traps. This study provides insights into the variability of insect composition patterns associated with phytosanitary strategies targeting A. ludens. These findings may have practical implications for pest management, which can help conserve insect diversity in citrus groves.