The attraction of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to soybean hydrolysate, fishmeal, beef extract, banana/grapes, bread and dog biscuit was evaluated in snakegourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.) gardens during 2000–2001. Vinegar and beer were added as the ‘bait components’ to the above ‘base baits’ to enhance their attractiveness. Edible oils, glycerine and petroleum jelly were tested as the ‘controlled releasers’ to sustain the attractiveness. The results indicated that banana and soybean hydrolysate were 85–95% more attractive to adult B. cucurbitae than fishmeal, beef extract, bread and dog biscuit. Among the fruit pulps, grapes and banana appeared to be more attractive than pineapple. The attractiveness of baits with palm oil lasted longer (up to 5 days) than that of baits without any controlled releaser (2–3 days). Grapes + beer + palm oil was found to be 37% more attractive than the other admixtures. The fruit flies were attracted towards the baits more intensively between 0600 and 0800 h and between 1600 and 1800 h.
