Efficacy of selected natural and chemical compounds in reducing Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) infestation under field and laboratory conditions

The Mediterranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann) is a major economic pest of citrus, causing substantial quantitative and qualitative losses. This study evaluated the efficacy of natural, chemical, and combined treatments in reducing fruit damage and investigated the oviposition deterrent effects of Xedaros® (natural, clove oil-based insecticide-acaricide) and Nicovar® (natural, pyrolysis-derived tobacco waste extract). A nine-week field experiment was conducted on mandarin trees, alongside a laboratory assay on apple fruits. In the field trial, both individual and combined treatments significantly affected the percentage of infested and dropped fruits. Among individual treatments, Karate Zeon® (lambda-cyhalothrin; chemical insecticide) Nicovar, and Xedaros resulted in the lowest mean infestation rates (13.93%, 15.73%, and 17.68%, respectively), compared with 38.46% in the control. Notably, at peak infestation (week 4), control damage reached 56%, whereas all treatments reduced infestation to below 25%. In the combined-treatment assay, Citraplus® (natural plant oil derived from edible gums) + kaolin (natural mineral), Xedaros (10‰), Xedaros + Nicovar, and sulfur (inorganic compound) + Nicovar significantly reduced fruit damage, lowering the 9-week mean from 44.25% in the control to approximately 20%. At week 7, when control infestation peaked at 60%, all combined treatments reduced damage to below 30%. In the laboratory assay, Xedaros and Nicovar reduced oviposition by 67.33% and 79.52%, respectively, indicating strong deterrent effects. Overall, these findings demonstrate that natural and combined treatments can effectively reduce Mediterranean fruit fly damage and may serve as environmentally friendly alternatives within integrated pest management programs, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides in citrus orchards.