Synthetic host volatiles increase efficacy of trap cropping for management of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

Abstract 1 The attractiveness of pitfall traps baited with a synthetic host volatile attractant to colonizing adult Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) was evaluated in a field setting. 2 Significantly more postdiapause, colonizing adult L. decemlineata were captured in baited than unbaited pitfall traps. 3 The potential for this synthetic kairomone to enhance the efficacy of trap cropping as a management tool was evaluated by comparing conventionally managed plots with like‐sized plots bordered by either attractant‐treated trap crop or untreated trap crop. 4 More postdiapause, colonizing adults, egg masses and small larvae were present in attractant‐treated trap crops than in untreated trap crops. 5 There were no significant differences in egg mass and small larvae densities between plots bordered by attractant‐treated trap crops and conventionally managed plots, but there were significantly fewer large larvae and adult beetles in conventionally managed plots. 6 Plant canopy area of conventionally managed plots was significantly greater than in plots bordered by either type of trap crop. 7 Yields for conventionally managed plots and plots bordered by attractant‐treated trap crops did not differ, and less insecticide (44%) was applied to plots bordered by attractant‐treated trap crops.     

Phototactic behaviour of Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus and E. brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults*

Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus and E. brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are destructive weevils on Ailanthus altissima in China. This study examined phototactic behaviour of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti in response to eight light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the laboratory and field. Effects of gender, starvation, and light and dark experience on the phototactic behaviour of the insects were evaluated. The results demonstrated that, the two species of weevil were phototactic insects and most sensitive to violet light (400–405?nm), followed by blue–violet light (420–430?nm). They were less sensitive to red (655–660?nm), white (6000–6500?k), blue–green (470–480?nm), yellow (590–595?nm), blue (450–455?nm), and green (515–530?nm) light. In the light intensity range of 200–1000?lux, the light intensity had no significant effect on the phototatic behaviour of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti. Phototactic behaviour of the insects was affected by gender. The phototaxis indices of the two species of weevil increased with starvation, reaching a plateau after 2 or 3?d of starvation. The phototaxis indices of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti were significantly affected by various wavelengths of light following exposure to the light for 3?h or in different dark experience time. In the mark-release-recapture test, the number of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti adults trapped by violet (400–405?nm) light traps is the largest. The information provided here provides a basis for survey and control of E. scrobiculatus and E. brandti.     

Odour-baited traps influence thrips capture in proximal unbaited traps in the field

Two field experiments examined the distance over which an attractant odour of a volatile chemical could influence thrips capture in proximal traps that were without the odour. In each experiment a star‐shaped array of water traps consisted of a centre trap with or without an odour surrounded by odourless traps at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 m in eight equally spaced radial arms 45° apart. Experiments ran for 47 h (centre trap: ethyl nicotinate) or 7 h (centre trap: ethyl isonicotinate). Each had four replicates. With ethyl nicotinate, more thrips were trapped in the centre‐baited traps than in the unbaited centre traps (63×, 7×, 98× and 200× for total thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman ♀, and Thrips obscuratus Crawford ♀and ♂, respectively) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). More total thrips and T. tabaci♀ were trapped in the centre traps baited with ethyl isonicotinate than in unbaited centre traps (21× for both). For ethyl nicotinate, numbers of T. obscuratus in unbaited traps downwind from the baited centre trap declined by 50% within 0.4 m (♀) and 2 m (♂) and by 95% within 3 m (both ♀ and ♂) based on model predictions. For ethyl isonicotinate, numbers of T. tabaci in unbaited traps downwind from the baited centre trap declined by 50% within 1.3 m and by 95% within 10 m based on model predictions. Wind direction was an important factor in the degree and direction of thrips capture with the highest thrips capture downwind from the centre trap with odour. There was no increase in numbers of T. tabaci in any traps without odour in the ethyl nicotinate‐centred array. Differences in trapping patterns between thrips species and odours indicated that there were thrips species–odour specific interactions. Experiments examining differences between traps with and without a thrips attractant odour need to be designed very carefully to ensure meaningful results especially in enclosed and/or low‐wind indoor situations.     

Field responses of stink bugs to the natural and synthetic pheromone of the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract.The synthetic racemic mixture of methyl 2,6,10‐trimethyltridecanoate, a component of the male produced pheromone of Euschistus heros (F.) (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae), was attractive to pentatomid species in a field test, using homemade pheromone trap designs. The pentatomid Piezodorus guildinii was caught in high numbers in field traps, during two field experiments, indicating a consistent response of this species to the E. heros pheromone. A correlation was found between the range of insects caught in the pheromone‐baited traps and a random sampling method. The synthetic stereoisomeric mixture of methyl 2,6,10‐trimethyldodecanoate, a minor component of E. heros pheromone, was also field tested and caught no pentatomids. Egg parasitoids were caught in traps baited with E. heros pheromone, indicating that this pheromone can be exploited as a kairomone. A synchrony in the periodicity of trap catch, between the egg parasitoids and their host, was also recorded.     

The fly factor phenomenon is mediated by interkingdom signaling between bacterial symbionts and their blow fly hosts

We tested the recent hypothesis that the"fly factor"phenomenon(food cur-rently or previously fed on by flies attracts more flies than the same type of food kept inccessible to flies)is mediated by bacterial symbionts deposited with feees or regur-gitated by feeding flies.We allowed laboratory-reared black blow flies,Phormia regina(Meigen),to feed and de fecate on bacterial Luria-Bertani medium solidified with agar,and isolated seven morphologically distinct bacterial colonies.We identified these us-ing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and sequencing of the 165 rRNA gene.In two-choice laboratory experiments,traps baited with cultures of Pro-teus mirabilis Hauser,Morganella morganii subsp.sibonii Jensen,or Serratia marcescens Bizio,captured significantly more flies than corresponding control jars baited with tryptic soy agar only.A mixture of seven bacterial strains as a trap bait was more attractive to flies than a single bacterial isolate(M.m.siboni).In a field experiment,traps baited with agar cultures of P:mirabilis and M.m siboni in combination captured significantly more flies than lraps baited with either bacterial isolate alone or the agar control.As evident by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,the odor profiles of bacterial isolates differ,which may explain the additive effect of bacteria to the attractiveness of bacterial trap baits.As"generalist bacteria,"P mirabilis and M.m.sibonii growing on animal protein(beef liver)or plant protein(tofu)are similarly effective in attracting flies.Bacteria-derived airborne semiochemicals appear to mediate foraging by flies and to inform their feeding and oviposition decisions.     

Improving monitoring tools for spotted wing drosophila,Drosophila suzukii

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) were trapped in the field using colored plastic sphere traps coated with insect Tangle‐trap. Red and black spheres captured significantly more D. suzukii than white spheres. Translucent deli‐cup traps deployed in cherry orchards and baited with yeast, the Alpha Scents lure, or the Scentry lure captured significantly more flies than the Trécé lure and Suzukii bait; all attractants had poor selectivity for D. suzukii. No‐choice evaluations of attractants conducted in field cages corroborated the cherry orchard field study, though translucent deli‐cup traps provisioned with the yeast bait captured significantly more flies than those baited with the Alpha Scents lure. Red sphere traps baited with the Scentry lure captured 3–6× more flies than the deli‐cup trap baited with the same lure, and 3–4× more flies than the deli‐cup trap baited with yeast bait, demonstrating that a trap integrating both visual and olfactory cues is a superior tool for monitoring D. suzukii. Moreover, this simple sticky, dry trap design requires far less labor and maintenance than does a liquid‐based deli‐cup trap.     

Evaluation of lures and traps for male and female monitoring of Mediterranean fruit fly in pome and stone fruit

Commercial traps and lures have recently become available for monitoring male and female Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Australia, with possible applications in monitoring and mass trapping. This study investigated the attractiveness of commercially available male [Capilure^® (CPL), Trimedlure (TML) cone, plugs, and wafers] and female‐targeted synthetic lures (three‐component BioLure^®, BioLure^® Unipak, Ceratitis^® Unipak, TMA Plus^® Unipak and Biotrap^® gel), and five female‐targeted traps [Maxi^® trap, Sorygar Tephri‐trap, Probodelt^® cone trap, and BioTrap Globe^® traps (two versions)]. Results showed that TML and CPL lures were equivalent up to 8 weeks, but TML‐baited traps captured 1.2–4.6 times more male medflies than CPL‐baited traps with lures aged 9–16 weeks. For female‐targeted trapping, all tested lures were female selective. Ceratitis^® Unipak was equivalent to three‐component (3‐C) BioLure^®, whilst BioLure^® Unipak captured 1.1–1.5 times more medflies than 3‐C BioLure^®. The least efficient lures were TMA Plus^® Unipak and Biotrap Fruit Fly Attractant Gel. Tephri‐traps were the least efficient trap, with Maxi traps catching 1.9–6.7 times more medflies than the Tephri‐trap. The appropriate selection of lures and traps for applications in monitoring and mass trapping are discussed.     

The ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche (Stark) is repelled by conophthorin and verbenone and attracted to ethanol in a dose-dependent manner

1. Anisandrus maiche (Stark) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a non-native ambrosia beetle recently detected in northwestern Indiana. There is a critical need for advanced methods to detect and manage this potentially destructive beetle. Identifying semiochemicals that function as attractants or repellents can inform management practices to protect high-value plantings of hardwood trees.
2. We evaluated the extent to which (S)-(−)-verbenone, (E)-(±)-conophthorin and ethanol influence trap capture of A. maiche using two trap types and heights. We also investigated the effect of ethanol release rate on trap capture.
3. Traps baited with ethanol alone captured the most beetles, while traps baited with (S)-(−)-verbenone or (E)-(±)-conophthorin alone captured few A. maiche, and each compound decreased capture when paired with ethanol lures.
4. There was no difference in mean capture of A. maiche between trap types across treatments, and the height of ethanol-baited traps did not influence the capture rate suggesting this species is widely distributed throughout the canopy.
5. Our results suggest that (S)-(−)-verbenone and (E)-(±)-conophthorin are effective repellents for A. maiche and a release rate of at least 3 g/day of ethanol enhances trap to capture.

     

斜纹夜蛾在风洞中对性信息素的行为反应及田间诱捕试验

雌蛾腺体内含量最高的组份9,11-14∶Ac（A）在风洞中能引起雄蛾从搜索气迹、定向飞行到撒开味刷企图交尾连续的行为反应,而雌蛾腺体内其它组份单独使用时均不能引起雄蛾上述行为反应。一定量的Z9,E12-14∶Ac（B）对A的活性有增效作用,诱芯中B数量过多,不但失去对A的活性增效作用,还对雄蛾接近诱芯和企图交尾有强烈的抑制作用。9-14∶Ac（C）与11-14∶Ac (D)对雄蛾的定向行为无影响,诱芯中含有50%的C时,反而对雄蛾接近诱芯和企图交尾有抑制作用。A与B在滤纸诱芯中的含量比例与诱芯释放的挥发物比例明显不同,从9∶1（A∶B）诱芯释放的挥发物比例更接近于雌蛾腺体内的天然比例。田间诱捕试验中两组份诱芯的诱捕量随两组份比例不同而变化, 9∶1（A∶B）诱芯的诱捕量最大,1∶1（A∶B）诱芯的诱捕量低于单一的A组份诱芯。     

Optimizing early detection strategies: defining the effective attraction radius of attractants for emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

1. Adult emerald ash borers are attracted to green prism traps baited with the ash host volatile (3Z)-hexenol and the sex pheromone of emerald ash borer (3Z)-dodecen-12-olide [(3Z)-lactone]. Quantifying the heretofore unknown range of attraction of such traps would help optimize deployment strategies for early detection.
2. Examining trap captures of traps deployed in pairs at variable distances offers insight into the range of attraction. Recent work has shown the range of attraction can be estimated as half the intertrap distance at which trap catch begins to decrease, which should occur when proximate traps overlap their respective attractive ranges.
3. We estimated these traps' attractive range for emerald ash borer using 98 baited dark green prism traps deployed in pairs, one trap per tree, in an urban park in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA in summer 2020.
4. We estimate attractive range by fitting a logistic model to trap catch data using Bayesian inferential methods and describe advantages thereof.
5. The attractive range of these baited traps was estimated to be between 16 and 73 m, with a median of 28 m. We recommend that dark green prism traps baited with these semiochemicals be placed 25–35 m apart near high-risk entry points.

     

Factors affecting captures of male citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, in pheromone-baited traps

The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is an important world‐wide pest of citrus. Larval mining within leaf flush impacts yield and predisposes trees to infection by citrus canker, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri. The present series of studies sought to identify factors affecting male P. citrella catch in pheromone‐baited traps with the intent of developing effective monitoring. A commercially available pheromone lure (Citralure, ISCA Technologies, Riverside, CA, USA) was highly effective in attracting male P. citrella to traps. Pherocon VI Delta (Trécé Inc., Adair, OK, USA) traps baited with a Citralure captured more male P. citrella than identically baited Pherocon IC Wing traps (Trécé Inc.). The superiority of the Delta‐style trap was found to be due to a 3 cm long closing latch that likely prevents males from flying directly through the trap without capture. Within canopies of mature citrus trees (approximately 3.5 m high), traps at mid‐canopy height (2.0 m) captured more males than traps placed higher (3.5 m) or lower (0.6 m). On the canopy perimeter and in between canopies, traps near ground level (0.6 m height) captured more males than traps at 2.0 and 3.5 m heights. Male catch was greater within the tree canopy or on the canopy perimeter than 2.0 away from the canopy. Traps deployed in trees on the edge of groves captured more males than traps placed 120 and 240 m away from the grove edge and within the grove interior. In non‐pheromone‐treated grove plots, the optimal dosage for catching males was between 0.1 and 1.0 mg of the 3 : 1 blend of (Z,Z,E)‐7,11,13‐hexadecatrienal and (Z,Z)‐7,11‐hexadecadienal; however, in pheromone‐treated plots a higher 10.0 mg dosage lure was most effective. Male catch in pheromone‐baited traps exhibited a diel rhythm with most males captured during scotophase (22:00–23:00 h) and no males captured during photophase.     

Comparison of sampling tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) by four different potential attractants

Synthetic and natural attractants in traps are used in many parts of the world to attract female tabanids. Certain attractants in different geographic regions may be ineffective or effective under different environmental conditions for horseflies. One‐octen‐3‐ol, as a compound present in bovine emanations, has a behavioural effect on many horsefly species and together with other phenolic compounds makes very effective attractant for this group of insects. As the attractiveness of the mixture of three chemicals (1‐octen‐3‐ol, acetone and ammonia solution in the proportions 5 : 3 : 2), aged donkey urine, lactic acid and fresh human urine is not yet known, it was studied in Eastern Croatia. The combination of those three chemicals and efficiency of natural attractants offers promising results. Tabanus was the most represented genus with 83% of the total collected tabanids. The chi‐squared analyses of the trapping data for canopy traps revealed that each of the attractants (mixture of three chemicals, aged donkey urine, lactic acid and fresh human urine) significantly increased the number of collected horseflies in comparison to those collected in unbaited canopy traps. Some species differences in relative response to different attractants were noted. Significantly, more specimens of Haematopota pluvialis were collected from canopy traps baited with the mixture of three chemicals when compared with traps baited with other attractants. Canopy traps baited with aged donkey urine collected significantly more Atylotus loewianus females than did traps baited with the mixture. The F‐test analysis of the trapping data for the genus Tabanus showed that there is significant difference between average number of collected specimens between mixture of three chemicals and other used attractants (lactic acid and human urine) except aged donkey urine. Finally, traps baited with the mixture of three chemicals (1‐octen‐3‐ol, acetone and ammonia solution) collected 14.5 times more tabanids than unbaited traps, whereas aged donkey urine, lactic acid, and fresh human urine‐baited traps collected 12, 3.9 and 2.5 times as many tabanids, respectively, than did unbaited traps. The mixture of three chemicals (1‐octen‐3‐ol, acetone and ammonia solution) and aged donkey urine appear to be very effective attractants for tabanids.     

Grandisol as an attractant for the sugar beet pest Bothynoderes affinis and data on other Lixinae species

As a result of field tests in Bulgaria and Hungary, cis‐2‐isopropenyl‐l‐methylcyclobutane ethanol (racemic grandisol) is reported for the first time as an attractant for Bothynoderes affinis (Schrank) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Lixinae), a member of the pest weevil complex of sugar beet. Dose–response experiments in the field using Csalomon TAL (modified pitfall) traps (Plant Protection Institute, CAR HAS, Budapest, Hungary) showed that catches of B. affinis adults increased with increasing attractant dose. In a subsequent experiment studying the effect of trap color (white, blue, yellow, fluorescent yellow, and transparent) all traps with the lure caught more than non‐baited control traps, and the highest number of adults was recorded in transparent and yellow baited traps. Trap color had a significant effect on the number of B. affinis females captured. Transparent TAL traps baited with 1–10 mg grandisol applied on rubber dispensers are recommended for the detection and monitoring of B. affinis. In addition to the target species, 17 other Lixinae species were captured during the field experiments, demonstrating for the first time the possible role of grandisol in the chemical communication systems of some of these species. A second locality of Lixus punctiventris Boheman (Lixinae, Lixini) in Bulgaria is reported. TAL traps baited with grandisol might be a useful tool for surveying Lixinae diversity in different biotopes.     

Optimization of pheromone lure and trap design for monitoring the fir coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella

The major components of the sex pheromone of Dioryctria abietivorella (Groté) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were recently identified as (9Z,11E)‐tetradecadien‐1‐yl acetate (9Z,11E‐14:Ac) and a polyunsaturated, long‐chain hydrocarbon (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)‐pentacosapentaene (C25 pentaene). The optimal ratio of these components and the role of potential minor components were not fully determined in the initial short report on the pheromone's identification. We tested different ratios of the two major components loaded into grey halobutyl rubber septum dispensers, placed in sticky traps deployed in conifer breeding arboreta. The optimal ratio of the two components was 200 µg 9Z,11E‐14:Ac to 2000 µg C25 pentaene. (Z)‐9‐Tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate, which had been identified previously in female pheromone gland extracts, and five other potential minor pheromone components, were tested individually as additions to the optimized two‐component lure blend. None of the ternary blends were more attractive than the optimized two‐component blend, at the ratios tested. Two lure adjuvants, a UV stabilizer (Sumisorb 300) and the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene, added individually or together, did not affect the attractiveness of the optimized lure blend. The Pherotech diamond sticky trap baited with the optimized lure blend was the most effective trap design among eight types of sticky trap and a bucket style trap that were tested. Traps baited with synthetic lures were as attractive as traps baited with virgin female moths. The optimized two‐component lure blend in the Pherotech diamond trap is recommended for monitoring fir coneworm infestations. The availability of an effective synthetic pheromone opens the possibility for control tactics using mating disruption or attract‐and‐kill techniques.     

Evaluation of traps used to monitor southern pine beetle aerial populations and sex ratios

1 Various kinds of traps have been employed to monitor and forecast population trends of the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann; Coleoptera: Scolytidae), but their accuracy in assessing pine‐beetle abundance and sex ratio in the field has not been evaluated directly. 2 In this study, we used fluorescent powder to mark pine beetles emerging from six isolated infestations. We then compared estimates of total abundances and proportions of males emerging from within each infestation to the estimates from three types of traps: passive sticky traps (2, 5, 10 and 20 m away from the source of beetles), multi‐funnel traps baited with pine beetle attractants (100 m away) and pine trees baited with attractants (also 100 m away). 3 We found that the proportion of males captured in traps was significantly affected by the type of trap used. 4 Within an infestation, equal proportions of males and females were marked (0.53 ± 0.02 males; mean ± SE), but the proportions captured in trap trees and passive traps were more female biased (0.42 ± 0.03 and 0.46 ± 0.01 males, respectively). On the other hand, funnel traps provided an estimate of the proportion of males that was nearly identical to the proportion from within infestations (0.51 ± 0.03). 5 Numbers of marked beetles captured in traps were uncorrelated with the numbers of marked beetles emerging from the focal infestations. This suggests that traps positioned around an infestation may not be effective at estimating relative abundances of beetles within the infestation.     

Attraction of forest cockchafer Melolontha hippocastani to (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and 1,4-benzoquinone: application aspects

Abstract The application aspects of chemicals which attract the forest cockchafer, Melolontha hippocastani F., were investigated in field and laboratory experiments. Previous studies have shown that males of M. hippocastani are attracted by a synthetic mixture of green leaf volatiles (GLV) and the sex pheromone 1,4‐benzoquinone (BQ), that synergistically enhances the male response to GLV. In the present study, we demonstrated that BQ also synergised the male response to one single component of the GLV mixture, the leaf alcohol (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol (Z‐3‐ol). BQ enhanced the attractiveness of Z‐3‐ol at doses between 0.05 and 5 mg per trap, reaching a maximum at 5 × 10^?1 mg day^?1. The addition of an insecticide (cyhalothrin) to traps baited with BQ and Z‐3‐ol did not affect the lures’ attractiveness. However, when a conidiospore formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria brongniartii (Saccardo) Petch was added, the attractiveness of baited traps was significantly reduced. Furthermore, two types of dispensers baited with a solution of BQ in Z‐3‐ol at 20 mg ml^?1 were tested over the entire 4‐week flight season. Both a membrane dispenser and a dispenser based on a porous polyethylene (PPE) absorbent disk attracted more males than controls over the entire 4 weeks. The membrane dispenser attracted as many males each week as a reference formulation that was renewed daily. Furthermore, the membrane dispenser attracted more males than the PPE dispenser in weeks 2–4, although laboratory experiments showed that the latter released even higher or at least equal amounts of the joined lure over the entire 4 weeks. However, estimation of the BQ/Z‐3‐ol ratios of the released material by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) revealed that the membrane dispenser released a higher proportion of BQ than the PPE dispenser in weeks 2–4. Therefore, a higher BQ/Z‐3‐ol ratio might be responsible for the advantage of the membrane dispenser in the field.     

Influence of pitfall versus Longworth livetraps, bait addition, and drift fences on trap success and mortality of shrews

Pitfall trapping is believed to be the most efficient method for capturing shrews (Sorex spp.); however, Longworth live-traps have been used successfully in North America and Great Britain. Due to high metabolic rates, previous attempts to livetrap shrews have been faced with very high (exceeding 95 % in some circumstances) mortality rates. Here we report the results of two experiments attempting to integrate successful livetrapping of shrews into standard rodent trapping protocols. In Experiment 1 we compared efficiency of pitfall and Longworth live-traps operated with drift fences on 1-ha trapping grids for capturing vagrant shrews (Sorex vagrans) on agricultural set-asides in Delta, British Columbia, Canada. A total of 100 trap stations, on each of three trapping grids, were equipped with a 3-m-long drift fence and randomly assigned either one pitfall at the centre of each fence, or two Longworth traps, one at each end of the fence. In addition, we randomly selected 50 % of trap stations and provided 6 g of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) larvae as bait. In response to high mortality rates, we varied the frequency of trap checks, with intervals of 12–14 h (long), 6–9 h (medium) and 3–4 h (short). Contrary to our predictions, Longworth traps captured significantly more shrews than pitfall traps. We observed the highest mean mortality rates in traps without mealworms, checked at long intervals. Shrews in mealworm-baited traps checked at short intervals experienced no mortality. Mortality rates in mealworm-baited traps checked at short and medium intervals were similar (t?=??1.33, P?=?0.20, Bonferroni-corrected alpha?=?0.004). In Experiment 2, we attempted to determine the relative gains in efficiency when using drift fences in conjunction with Longworth and pitfall traps. However, due to small sample size, we were unable to detect significant differences. A trapping protocol using Longworth traps in conjunction with drift fences, provided with mealworms as food, and checked at a maximum interval of 8 h should be sufficient to effectively include shrews in rodent livetrapping studies.     

Seasonal population trend of the peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Assiut,Northern Upper Egypt

The population of peach fruit fly during 2011 season increased gradually starting from the fourth week of July to reach its first major peak throughout the second week of September with 1340?flies/trap/day for traps suspended at 1?m height and during the third week of September with 909?flies/trap/day for traps hung at 2?m heights. Afterwards, the population trend showed a slight but gradual declining trend from the third week of September up to the third week of October. The population was then increased to reach its second major peak during the fourth week of October with 696 and 595?flies/trap/day for traps hung at 1 and 2?m heights, respectively. The greatest drop in the trapped population at both trap heights was observed from the second week of November until the end of the season (second week of December). A total of 105270?flies/trap at both 1 and 2?m trap heights during the entire seasons of 2011 were recorded. In 2012 season, the population followed nearly the same trend as that observed during 2011 season with minor variations. One major peak of abundance was recorded during the first week of October with 1344 and 955?flies/trap/day for traps hung at 1 and 2?m, respectively. The second major peak (1104 and 894?flies/trap/day) was observed during the fourth week of October for traps suspended at 1 and 2?m, respectively. A remarkable decrease in the population could be seen from the first week of December until the end of the season (fourth week of December). Statistical analysis of the data showed highly significant differences between fruit fly population captured at 1?m trap height (Mean = 446.9 ± 97?flies/trap/day) and that captured at 2?m trap heights (Mean = 321 ± 72?flies/trap/day) with paired t of 4.7^** and p-value of 0.0001^**.     

Field evaluation of baited traps for surveillance of Aedes japonicus japonicus in Switzerland

The efficacy of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) miniature light traps and ovitraps was tested in the outskirts of the city of Zurich in Switzerland for their use in the surveillance of Aedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), the invasive Asian bush mosquito. Sets of single CDC traps were run overnight (n = 18) in three different environments (forest, suburban and urban) in 3 × 3 Latin square experimental designs. Traps were baited with: (a) carbon dioxide (CO₂); (b) CO₂ plus light, or (c) CO₂ plus lure blend [Combi FRC 3003 (iGu^®)]. At the same locations, mosquito eggs were collected weekly using standard ovitraps baited with different infusions (oak, hay or tap water) and equipped with different oviposition substrates (a block of extruded polystyrene, a germination paper strip or a wooden stick). Data were analysed using Poisson and negative binomial general linear models. The use of light (P < 0.001) or lure (P < 0.001) significantly increased the attractiveness of CDC traps baited with CO₂. Oak and hay infusions did not increase the attractiveness of ovitraps compared with standing tap water (P > 0.05), and extruded polystyrene blocks were preferred as an oviposition substrate over wooden sticks (P < 0.05) and seed germination paper (P < 0.05). Carbon dioxide‐baited CDC miniature light traps complemented with light or iGu^® lure and ovitraps containing standing tap water and polystyrene oviposition blocks can be considered as efficient and simple tools for use in Ae. j. japonicus surveillance programmes.     

Effect of trap height and within-planting location on captures of cranberry fruitworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in highbush blueberries

Abstract 1 Winged traps baited with synthetic sex pheromone lures [(E,Z)‐8,10‐pentadecadien‐1‐ol and (E)‐9‐pentadecen‐1‐ol acetate] were evaluated for their effectiveness in monitoring cranberry fruitworm, Acrobasis vaccinii Riley, in highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., plantings. Trap effectiveness was compared at different heights within the bush canopy and different locations within plantings. 2 In our trap height study, three positions were evaluated: (i) at the top of bush canopy (15 cm below the uppermost branch); (ii) centrally within bush canopy (60 cm below the uppermost branch); and (iii) at the bottom of the bush, 20 cm above ground level. Traps placed 15 and 60 cm below the uppermost branch captured significantly more male moths compared with traps placed 20 cm above ground level at two organic sites. 3 In our trap location study, four treatments were evaluated based on trap location relative to adjacent woodlands: (i) in trees within 1 m of the woodland boundary; (ii) in blueberry bushes adjacent to woodlands, 15 m from the woodland boundary; (iii) in blueberry bushes in the centre of the planting, 75 m from the woodland boundary; and (iv) in blueberry bushes furthest away from woodlands, 150 m from the woodland boundary. Traps located within 1 m of woodland boundary captured significantly more male moths compared with traps located centrally (15 and 75 m) within plantings.