Wed Sep 17 13:23:28 UTC 2025: **Headline: Indian Scientists Develop Low-Cost, Long-Lasting Fruit Fly Trap**

**Bengaluru, India – September 18, 2025:** Farmers across India can breathe a sigh of relief as the ICAR–NBAIR (National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources) in Bengaluru has announced the development of a revolutionary, low-cost fruit fly trap called “Shatpada Fruit Fly Trap”. This innovative device promises to significantly reduce crop damage caused by fruit flies, a persistent problem for mango, guava, sapota, and citrus fruit growers.

After three years of rigorous research and multi-location trials across India’s major fruit-growing regions, the team of scientists led by Dr. S.N. Sushil, director of NBAIR, Dr. K.J. David, entomologist, scientist at NBAIR, and Dr. Deepa Bhagat, principal scientist in Organic Chemistry at NBAIR, have created a device that is reportedly one-fourth the cost of existing solutions while offering superior performance and longevity.

The “Shatpada Fruit Fly Trap” utilizes a unique twin funnel-shaped design made from durable, recyclable plastic. The design of the trap guides the flies inside and prevents their escape. The trap releases synthetic pheromones into the air, attracting fruit flies with an irresistible scent. Once inside, the flies are trapped and unable to escape.

A key innovation is the “controlled release pheromone device,” where pheromones are immobilised inside a specially made semi-solid matrix that releases them slowly and evenly over 45 to 90 days. This tackles the issues with previous devices which released their pheromones too quickly or were vulnerable to sunlight and rain. This extended lifespan dramatically reduces the need for frequent replacements and lowers overall costs for farmers.

Trials conducted across 11 major fruit belts in India, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, have shown the Shatpada trap consistently outperformed conventional traps, capturing more flies and reducing the need for repeated pesticide sprays.

The ICAR–NBAIR is currently seeking patents for the device in the US, Europe, Japan, China, and Australia. Several industries are in the process of acquiring this technology from ICAR–NBAIR. Once commercialized, the “Shatpada Fruit Fly Trap” promises to be a game-changer for Indian farmers, offering an affordable, effective, and environmentally friendly solution to protect their valuable fruit crops.

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