Sticky trap using Melaleuca essential oil as a natural insecticide to control fruit fly pests in organic farming system

Abstract Fruit flies ( Bactrocera spp) are major pests that attack several horticultural commodities. Synthetic insecticides are often used to control fruit flies. However, in the organic farming system, the use of synthetic insecticides is forbidden. Therefore, natural insecticides are needed. This study aimed to determine the most effective and efficient concentration of Melaleuca essential oil in sticky trap formula as a natural insecticide to control fruit flies in organic farming system. The effectiveness of the formula was designed in randomized blocks with five treatments and five replications. The base glue was made using natural ingredients consisting of gum rosin (60%), palm oil (30%), and latex (10%). The effect of several sticky trap formulas was investigated for 1, 2, and 3 hours and continued daily until the formula was no longer able to trap fruit flies with five different concentrations of Melaleuca essential oil (10%; 7.5%; 5%; 2.5% and 0% (only glue)). The result showed that the use of natural ingredients, including gum rosin, palm oil, latex, and Melaleuca essential oil is quite effective in controlling fruit fly pests. Melaleuca essential oil extracted from Melaleuca bracteata leaves contains 60.28% Methyl eugenol (C 11 H 14 O 2 ) effectively act as an attractant/lure. The most efficient sticky trap formula is 5 ml of Melaleuca essential oil in 100 ml of base glue (around 5%) which can trap 44 fruit flies per trap on the fourth day of use. This study is expected to provide information for local organic farmers in controlling fruit fly pests.