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Trap Catches (trap + catch)
Kinds of Trap Catches Selected AbstractsAn experimental test of a visual-based push,pull strategy for control of wood boring phytosanitary pestsAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Stephen Mark Pawson Abstract 1,International phytosanitary standards require mandatory fumigation for key wood boring beetle pests prior to export. Pressure to reduce the use of toxic fumigants has created a need for alternative control techniques. 2,A visual based push,pull strategy that exploits a differential attraction to yellow and ultra violet (UV) lights was tested for its efficacy at controlling Cerambycidae. 3,The relative attraction of four ,push' lighting treatments [two yellow (high and low-pressure Sodium), one white (metal halide) and a control (no light)] to beetles was assessed. Highly attractive UV ,pull' traps were compared with a paired control trap, the difference used as a measure of the UV traps attractiveness to residual beetles attracted by ,push' lights. 4,Trap catch beneath the two yellow ,push' lights was more similar to the control (no light) treatment than the white light for both species. Control ,push' lights had the highest average catch of Arhopalus ferus, whereas white light was least attractive. This finding was counter intuitive to expectations, and potential mechanisms are discussed. The white ,push' light was most attractive to Prionoplus reticularis. 5,Ultraviolet ,pull' traps were highly attractive to residual beetles drawn to yellow ,push' light treatments. Relative attraction to the UV ,pull' traps beneath control and white ,push' lights differed between species. 6,The results obtained suggest that a push,pull strategy combining yellow site lighting with UV kill traps could provide site specific control of wood borers. Future research should attempt large-scale trials that are subject to competing alternative stimuli at a wood processing site. [source] Floral attractants for the female soybean looper, Thysanoplusia orichalcea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 12 2008Lloyd D Stringer Abstract BACKGROUND: The soybean looper, Thysanoplusia orichalcea (F.), is a polyphagous insect pest of vegetable crops. Indonesian in origin, it has spread to Europe, India, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The identification of an attractant for female T. orichalcea could enable the development of alternative pest management strategies to those provided by insecticides or sex pheromones, which are often only attractive to males. RESULTS: Traps baited with synthetic lures derived from Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., floral volatiles attracted female T. orichalcea. Phenylacetaldehyde, a floral compound attractive to many Lepidoptera and present in C. arvense, was tested alone as an attractant for the soybean looper and caught significantly more female than male T. orichalcea. Trap catch was greatest when phenylacetaldehyde was combined with five prevalent volatiles present in C. arvense headspace collections: 2-phenylethyl alcohol, methyl salicylate, dimethyl salicylate, benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol. Twice as many female moths as males were collected. CONCLUSION: Successful trapping of female T. orichalcea in either a lure-and-kill or a mass trapping system may offer an effective way to manage its population size. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Impact of predators on artificially augmented populations of Lymantria dispar L. pupae (Lep., Lymantriidae)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2-3 2002T. Gschwantner The impact of predators on artificially augmented populations of Lymantria dispar pupae (Lep., Lymantriidae) and the species composition of the predator community were investigated in two oak stands in eastern Austria. The population density of L. dispar has been at innocuous levels for several years at both sites. From mid-June to mid-July, we created artificial prey populations by mounting gypsy moth pupae with beeswax on burlap bands placed at the base, 25, 50 and 100 cm height on 25 trees at each site. A total of 6600 pupae were exposed at each site. A total of 92% of exposed pupae were destroyed by predators, at site I (with dense understorey vegetation) whereas 67% were destroyed on site II (with sparse understorey vegetation). Initially, pupal mortality was highest at the base of trees, but differences in mortality among the four locations where pupae were exposed decreased during the course of the study period. Spatial differences in predation were ascertained, suggesting that the aggregation of small mammals, for example, is related to patches of dense shrub vegetation. Pupal mortality was primarily caused by mice (46.3% at site I and 36.4% at site II). Many exposed pupae simply disappeared (40.4% at site I and 22.8% at site II). Calosoma spp. and other invertebrate predators caused very little mortality among L. dispar pupae (5.5% at site I and 7.8% at site II). Trap catches on separate study plots at both sites revealed that Apodemus flavicollis (Rodentia, Muridae) was the most important predator species present, whereas Apodemus sylvaticus (Rodentia, Muridae) and Clethrionomys glareolus (Rodentia, Arvicolidae) were captured in low numbers. [source] Geographic variation in the field response of male European pine sawflies, Neodiprion sertifer, to different pheromone stereoisomers and estersENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 3 2000O. Anderbrant Abstract The European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), is a widespread and economically important forest insect. The sex pheromone communication system of this species has been previously investigated in North America, Japan and Europe, with the acetate or propionate of the alcohol (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-pentadecanol (diprionol) shown to be the main pheromone component. In some locations, male attraction either increased or decreased by the addition of the (2S,3R,7R)-diprionyl acetate isomer. However, these studies were made with different batches of synthetic pheromones, with different types of traps and according to different procedures, so the observed differences might not reflect true geographic variation. Here we investigate the geographic pattern of male sawfly response by using identical chemicals, traps and experimental procedures at eight field sites ranging from Japan in the east to Canada in the west. We found an increased inhibitory effect of the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer from Japan and Siberia to Europe. At the eastern sites, increasing amounts of the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer up to and equal to the amount of the (2S,3S,7S )-isomer, did not influence the trap catch, whereas at sites in Europe, as little as 1% of the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer almost completely inhibited the attraction. The response of the North American population was intermediate. The only site in which the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer was essential for the attraction of males was in Siberia. A similar pattern was found for the (2S,3R,7S)-isomer. Both the acetate and the propionate form of the (2S,3S,7S)-isomer were attractive by themselves in Japan, Europe and North America, and neither the (2S,3R,7S)-isomer nor the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer alone were attractive, in the acetate or propionate form. We discuss the significance of our findings for the development of more efficient monitoring schemes and for the causes of population divergence and speciation in the European pine sawfly. [source] Sex pheromone for monitoring flight periods and population densities of the pine sawfly, Diprion jingyuanensis Xiao et Zhang (Hym., Diprionidae)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Z. Zhang Abstract:, The pine sawfly, Diprion jingyuanensis Xiao et Zhang, is a serious pest of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) in the northern parts of China. The general biology of this recently described sawfly species is little known and in the present study we used a synthetic pheromone to monitor its flight period and to evaluate the possibility to use pheromone traps as a tool for estimating and predicting population densities. The attractant pheromone of D. jingyuanensis is (1S,2R,6R)-1,2,6-trimethyldodecyl propionate and in this study we used a four-isomer threo-mixture containing the active attractant. Both doses tested, 1 and 2 mg/trap, revealed the same seasonal flight pattern, the higher dosage demonstrating more clear flight peaks. The first flight peak of D. jingyuanensis occurred in mid-June during all 3 years, 1997,1999, and in 1997 and 1998 a second flight peak was also recorded in mid-July. The flight period was similar in time for populations located at higher (1400 m) and lower altitude (1100 m), from early June to late July or early August. Temperature was the main weather factor-affecting trap catches. Diurnal flight activity began at 9.00, peaked at 13.00 and lasted until 20.00. A series of tests with traps in different positions within stands and trees were conducted and the results demonstrated the importance of standardizing the trapping protocol in population monitoring studies. By using traps with 2 mg baits it is possible to detect sawfly occurrence at very low population densities, not detectable by other means. Strong positive correlations between trap catch and relative population density were found in 2000 and 2001, but not in 1998, when only few sites were monitored and the population was in a decreasing phase. The results are promising for future large-scale use of pheromone-based monitoring of D. jingyuanensis. [source] Attraction of ambrosia and bark beetles to coast live oaks infected by Phytophthora ramorumAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Brice A. McPherson Abstract 1,Sudden oak death is caused by the apparently introduced oomycete, Phytophthora ramorum. We investigated the role of bark and ambrosia beetles in disease progression in coast live oaks Quercus agrifolia. 2,In two Marin County, California sites, 80 trees were inoculated in July 2002 with P. ramorum and 40 were wounded without inoculation. Half of the trees in each group were sprayed with the insecticide permethrin [cyclopropanecarboxylic acid, 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-(3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ester] to prevent ambrosia and bark beetle attacks, and then were sprayed twice per year thereafter. After each treatment, sticky traps were placed on only the permethrin-treated trees. Beetles were collected periodically in 2003. 3,Inoculated trees accounted for 95% of all beetles trapped. The ambrosia beetles Monarthrum scutellare and Xyleborinus saxeseni and the western oak bark beetle Pseudopityophthorus pubipennis were the most abundant of the seven species trapped. 4,Permethrin treatment delayed initiation of beetle attacks and significantly reduced the mean number of attacks per tree. Beetles did not attack any wounded or noncankered inoculated trees. 5,Trees with larger cankers trapped more beetles early in the disease. Once permethrin lost effectiveness, the number of beetle entrance tunnels was a more reliable predictor of subsequent trap catch than was canker size. 6,Beetles were initially attracted to P. ramorum cankers in response to kairomones generated in the host-pathogen interaction. After beetles attacked the permethrin-treated trees, aggregation pheromones most probably were the principal factor in beetle colonization behaviour. [source] An assessment of re-randomization methods in bark beetle (Scolytidae) trapping bioassaysAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Christopher J. Fettig Abstract 1,Numerous studies have explored the role of semiochemicals in the behaviour of bark beetles (Scolytidae). 2,Multiple-funnel traps are often used to elucidate these behavioural responses. Sufficient sample sizes are obtained by using large numbers of traps to which treatments are randomly assigned once, or by frequent collection of trap catches and subsequent re-randomization of treatments. 3,Recently, there has been some debate about the potential for trap contamination to occur when semiochemical treatments (baits), and not trap-treatment units (traps and baits), are re-randomized among existing traps. Due to the volatility of many semiochemicals, small levels of contamination could potentially confound results. 4,A literature survey was conducted to determine the frequency of re-randomizing semiochemical treatments (baits) vs. trap-treatment units (traps and baits) in scolytid trapping bioassays. An experiment was then conducted to determine whether differences in the response of Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte to attractant-baited traps exist between the two methods. 5,The majority of papers examined reported use of a large number of fixed replicates (traps) rather than re-randomization of treatments at frequent intervals. Seventy-five percent of papers for which re-randomization methods could be determined reported relocation of semiochemical treatments (baits) only. 6,No significant differences in trap catch were observed among multiple-funnel traps aged with D. brevcomis baits (Phero Tech Inc., Canada) for 0, 30 and 90 days, suggesting that contamination did not influence the results. 7,It is concluded that re-randomizing baits is a viable cost-effective option to re-randomizing trap and bait units. [source] Efficacy of the pear ester as a monitoring tool for codling moth Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in New Zealand apple orchardsPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 3 2008Vanessa J Mitchell Abstract BACKGROUND: The behavioural response of both sexes of codling moth, Cydia pomonella to the pear-derived kairomone (ethyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate), codling moth sex pheromone (E,E -8,10-dodecadien-1-ol), and sex pheromone combined with the pear derived kairomone loaded into red rubber septum were investigated in trapping experiments in New Zealand apple orchards. A range of 0.01,10.0 mg of pheromone loading in rubber septum dispensers was tested and the highest catch of males was in traps baited with 1.0 mg. No dose response in trap catch of males was seen in traps baited with different amounts of pear-derived kairomone (0.01,10.0 mg). RESULTS: The number of females caught was significantly affected by the amount of pear derived kairomone used to bait traps, with the highest catch obtained at 10 mg loading. The attractiveness of sex pheromone was not enhanced by the addition of the kairomone either when used in the same bait or in a separate bait. The mean number of males captured in traps was reduced by 44% when the pheromone and kairomone were combined at ratio of 1:1 (0.1 mg pheromone: 0.1 mg kairomone) in separate sources. CONCLUSION: Kairomone baited traps showed some potential for monitoring the flight activity of female C. pomonella in apple orchards in two locations (Canterbury and Hawke's Bay). However, the number of male moths caught was low as compared to the number of male moths caught in pheromone-baited traps, and therefore the sex pheromone should continue to be used for monitoring male activity. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] High-altitude migration of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella to the U.K.: a study using radar, aerial netting, and ground trappingECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Jason W. Chapman Abstract 1. The high-altitude wind-borne migration of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in the U.K. in 2000 was investigated (a) by direct monitoring of insect flight by vertical-looking radar and by aerial netting, and (b) through evidence of temporal variation in P. xylostella abundance deduced from a network of light traps. 2. Migrating P. xylostella were identified by a unique combination of size and shape data derived from the continuously operating vertical-looking radar. 3. Radar-detected migratory overflights correlated significantly with associated peaks in abundance of P. xylostella estimated by catches in a U.K.-wide light trap network; however the correlation was stronger when light trap catches were lagged by 1 day. 4. The first notable catches of P. xylostella in the U.K. occurred in early May, and were accompanied by migrations over the radar from the east. 5. Radar data and back-tracking indicated that a major wind-borne migration of P. xylostella from The Netherlands to southern England took place in early May, and that this was responsible for the establishment of the U.K. population. 6. The origin of early-season P. xylostella occurring in Britain is discussed. [source] Forecasting migration of cereal aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in autumn and springJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2009A. M. Klueken Abstract The migration of cereal aphids and the time of their arrival on winter cereal crops in autumn and spring are of particular importance for plant disease (e.g. barley yellow dwarf virus infection) and related yield losses. In order to identify days with migration potentials in autumn and spring, suction trap data from 29 and 45 case studies (locations and years), respectively, were set-off against meteorological parameters, focusing on the early immigration periods in autumn (22 September to 1 November) and spring (1 May to 9 June). The number of cereal aphids caught in a suction trap increased with increasing temperature, global radiation and duration of sunshine and decreased with increasing precipitation, relative humidity and wind speed. According to linear regression analyses, the temperature, global radiation and wind speed were most frequently and significantly associated with migration, suggesting that they have a major impact on flight activity. For subsequent model development, suction trap catches from different case studies were pooled and binarily classified as days with or without migration as defined by a certain number of migrating cereal aphids. Linear discriminant analyses of several predictor variables (assessed during light hours of a given day) were then performed based on the binary response variables. Three models were used to predict days with suction trap catches ,1, ,4 or ,10 migrating cereal aphids in autumn. Due to the predominance of Rhopalosiphum padi individuals (99.3% of total cereal aphid catch), no distinction between species (R. padi and Sitobion avenae) was made in autumn. As the suction trap catches were lower and species dominance changed in spring, three further models were developed for analysis of all cereal aphid species, R. padi only, and Metopolophium dirhodum and S. avenae combined in spring. The empirical, cross-classification and receiver operating characteristic analyses performed for model validation showed different levels of prediction accuracy. Additional datasets selected at random before model construction and parameterization showed that predictions by the six migration models were 33,81% correct. The models are useful for determining when to start field evaluations. Furthermore, they provide information on the size of the migrating aphid population and, thus, on the importance of immigration for early aphid population development in cereal crops in a given season. [source] Evaluation of trimedlure dispensers by a method based on thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography,mass spectrometryJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 9-10 2008C. Alfaro Abstract Knowledge about the behaviour of trimedlure (TML) dispensers is essential to ensure the efficacy of monitoring and control methods based on TML as attractant. There are several commercially available TML dispensers, and each of them has a different useful life and TML release profile. Their emission is also affected differently by environmental factors. Even the same type of dispenser sometimes shows an important variability in the TML release rate. Because of the importance of methods based on TML lures in the control of the Mediterranean fruit fly and the influence of the TML dispenser on the efficacy of these control methods, we developed a non-destructive flow-through system to measure the TML release rate. This volatile collection method (VCM) adsorbs TML vapour on a Tenax TA desorption tube, and TML is quantified by Thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Two types of TML dispensers, a polymeric (Aralure) and a mesoporous (Epalure), were field aged during 3 months. The TML release rates of these dispensers were determined by both, VCM and solvent extraction method. In this study, the correlation between both measurement methods is shown. A field trial has also been carried out to correlate trap catches and TML emission of each type of tested dispenser. The VCM allows a quick and accurate evaluation of the current behaviour of commercial dispensers along their useful life. It also allows comparing the TML release rate between different dispensers. We believe that the VCM can be useful for dispenser manufacturers to determine seasonal dispenser performance before a new product is introduced in the market, and to rapidly verify TML dispenser release when field-aged dispenser efficacy is in question. Thus, it can be employed as a quality control of commercial dispensers. [source] Geostatistical characterization of the spatial distribution of Grapholita molesta and Anarsia lineatella males in an agricultural landscapeJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2006A. Sciarretta Abstract:, The results obtained in spatial analysis of pheromone trap catches of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) and Peach twig borer, Anarsia lineatella (Zeller), are reported. The studies were performed in the Molise region, central Italy, during 2002 and 2003. Local distributions of oriental fruit moth and peach twig borer males were considered in a heterogeneous landscape. The aim of the study was to determine the temporal and spatial variation in distribution and abundance of the insect pests inside small plots of fruit orchards (apple, kiwi, peach, pear and plum fruits) and outside (in field crops, irrigation channels, hedgerows and a river), and to evaluate the importance of the host plants in relation to the adult distributions. Results showed that the main ,hot spot' for both lepidopterous pests was in a stone fruit orchard in the northern zone of the study area; other infested areas were in stone orchards and, in the case of A. lineatella, also in plum orchards. The river seems to act as a barrier rather than an ecological corridor. The observed spatio-temporal distributions of G. molesta and A. lineatella differed and were determined mainly by the location of the most important host plants and by the tendency of males to move in the environment, i.e. inside and outside the breeding and mating sites. Adequate knowledge of these spatial processes should be considered as an essential prerequisite for integrated pest management programmes in a precision farming approach. [source] Effects of intentional gaps in spray coverage on the efficacy of gypsy moth mating disruptionJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 9-10 2005K. Tcheslavskaia Abstract:, The study was conducted during 2001 and 2002 in forested areas in Virginia, US to examine the effects of gaps in coverage of pheromone on gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lep., Lymantriidae), mating disruption. Gypsy moth male moth catches in pheromone-baited traps were significantly reduced in plots treated with the gypsy moth sex pheromone, disparlure, at an overall application rate of 37.5 g of active ingredient (AI)/ha but with untreated gaps of 30 or 90 m between 30-m wide treated swaths. In one of the two plots with 90 m gaps, significantly more males were captured in traps in the untreated areas compared with the treated areas within the plot. However, in another plot, significant differences in trap catches between treated and untreated areas were not observed. No difference in male moth catches in the pheromone-baited traps was observed between treated and untreated areas within the plots treated with 30 m gaps. Female mating success did not differ significantly between treated and untreated areas within the one plot in which it was measured. These results suggest that it may be possible to lower costs associated with gypsy moth mating disruption applications by alternating treated and untreated swaths, which would reduce flight time and fuel costs, without a reduction in efficacy. [source] Sex pheromone for monitoring flight periods and population densities of the pine sawfly, Diprion jingyuanensis Xiao et Zhang (Hym., Diprionidae)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Z. Zhang Abstract:, The pine sawfly, Diprion jingyuanensis Xiao et Zhang, is a serious pest of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) in the northern parts of China. The general biology of this recently described sawfly species is little known and in the present study we used a synthetic pheromone to monitor its flight period and to evaluate the possibility to use pheromone traps as a tool for estimating and predicting population densities. The attractant pheromone of D. jingyuanensis is (1S,2R,6R)-1,2,6-trimethyldodecyl propionate and in this study we used a four-isomer threo-mixture containing the active attractant. Both doses tested, 1 and 2 mg/trap, revealed the same seasonal flight pattern, the higher dosage demonstrating more clear flight peaks. The first flight peak of D. jingyuanensis occurred in mid-June during all 3 years, 1997,1999, and in 1997 and 1998 a second flight peak was also recorded in mid-July. The flight period was similar in time for populations located at higher (1400 m) and lower altitude (1100 m), from early June to late July or early August. Temperature was the main weather factor-affecting trap catches. Diurnal flight activity began at 9.00, peaked at 13.00 and lasted until 20.00. A series of tests with traps in different positions within stands and trees were conducted and the results demonstrated the importance of standardizing the trapping protocol in population monitoring studies. By using traps with 2 mg baits it is possible to detect sawfly occurrence at very low population densities, not detectable by other means. Strong positive correlations between trap catch and relative population density were found in 2000 and 2001, but not in 1998, when only few sites were monitored and the population was in a decreasing phase. The results are promising for future large-scale use of pheromone-based monitoring of D. jingyuanensis. [source] Study of the relationship between sex pheromone trap catches of Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Tortricidae) and the accumulation of degree-days in Sherry vineyards (SW of Spain)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2001R. Del Tío The relationship between temperature accumulations and pheromone trap captures of the males of Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Tortricidae) in the Sherry vineyards (SW of Spain) presents a statistically acceptable linear behaviour through conveniently transforming the variables. Data series ranging from 1990 to 1995 were used to compute the linear correlations. The reliability of the forecasts based on the resulting log-probit lines have shown to be acceptable in order to be considered as an useful tool to improve the effectiveness of the integrated pest management in the area. [source] An assessment of re-randomization methods in bark beetle (Scolytidae) trapping bioassaysAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Christopher J. Fettig Abstract 1,Numerous studies have explored the role of semiochemicals in the behaviour of bark beetles (Scolytidae). 2,Multiple-funnel traps are often used to elucidate these behavioural responses. Sufficient sample sizes are obtained by using large numbers of traps to which treatments are randomly assigned once, or by frequent collection of trap catches and subsequent re-randomization of treatments. 3,Recently, there has been some debate about the potential for trap contamination to occur when semiochemical treatments (baits), and not trap-treatment units (traps and baits), are re-randomized among existing traps. Due to the volatility of many semiochemicals, small levels of contamination could potentially confound results. 4,A literature survey was conducted to determine the frequency of re-randomizing semiochemical treatments (baits) vs. trap-treatment units (traps and baits) in scolytid trapping bioassays. An experiment was then conducted to determine whether differences in the response of Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte to attractant-baited traps exist between the two methods. 5,The majority of papers examined reported use of a large number of fixed replicates (traps) rather than re-randomization of treatments at frequent intervals. Seventy-five percent of papers for which re-randomization methods could be determined reported relocation of semiochemical treatments (baits) only. 6,No significant differences in trap catch were observed among multiple-funnel traps aged with D. brevcomis baits (Phero Tech Inc., Canada) for 0, 30 and 90 days, suggesting that contamination did not influence the results. 7,It is concluded that re-randomizing baits is a viable cost-effective option to re-randomizing trap and bait units. [source] Larval habitats and seasonal abundance of Culicoides biting midges found in association with sheep in northern Sardinia, ItalyMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2010C. FOXI Between January 2005 and December 2006, the larval habitats and seasonal abundances of 21 species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) found in association with livestock on a farm in northern Sardinia were studied. Culicoides were collected using two light traps (one placed in a sheep shed and the other near water ponds) and reared from mud collected in and along the margins of a small and a large water pond. The mammalophilic Culicoides imicola Kieffer and Culicoides newsteadi Austen were the most prevalent (>95%) of 20 species in the sheep shed, whereas the ornithophilic Culicoides univittatus Vimmer, Culicoides sahariensis Kieffer, Culicoides festivipennis Kieffer, Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer and Culicoides cataneii Clastrier were most abundant in the traps set at the ponds (73%) and in 16 species of Culicoides reared from laboratory-maintained mud samples retrieved from three microhabitats (a non-vegetated pond shoreline, 20 cm above a pond shoreline, the shoreline of a secondary, permanently inundated, grass-covered pool). The species reared most abundantly from along the pond shoreline were C. festivipennis, C. circumscriptus and C. sahariensis, whereas those most prevalent at the grassed pool were C. cataneii and C. festivipennis. C. imicola was found to breed preferentially in mud 20 cm above the pond shoreline, whereas C. newsteadi was restricted almost entirely to the grassed pool, which had a high organic matter content. Using the light trap and adult emergence data, the seasonal abundance patterns of the eight species of Culicoides were determined. In general, there was good correspondence between light trap catches and emergence trends. Well-defined emergence peaks indicate four or five generations for C. festivipennis and C. circumscriptus and three generations for C. cataneii, C. newsteadi and Culicoides jumineri Callot & Kremer. The emergence trends for C. imicola and C. sahariensis were unimodal, but, because they stretched over several months, indicated that a number of overlapping generations had occurred. Adults of C. imicola were reared and captured only sporadically in the first half of the year, gradually building to a peak in autumn. Conversely, C. newsteadi was reared throughout the year and displayed three clearly defined peaks (in winter, spring and autumn); captures of C. newsteadi in the light traps peaked in May,June and again to a lesser extent in autumn. In Sardinia the late seasonal peak in the abundance of C. imicola occurs in synchrony with outbreaks of bluetongue (BT) in sheep, which is consistent with earlier findings elsewhere in the Mediterranean basin and in Africa that it is the principal vector of bluetongue virus (BTV). Although the status of C. newsteadi as a vector of BTV is not known, its low-level presence in winter and heightened abundances in spring may provide a pathway along which the virus can overwinter. [source] Spatial distribution of bluetongue virus and its Culicoides vectors in SicilyMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2004A. Torina Abstract., During the recent Mediterranean epizootic of bluetongue, an extensive programme of serological and vector (Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)) surveillance was carried out across Sicily. This paper presents the analysis of 911 light trap catches collected at the times of peak Culicoides abundance (summer to autumn 2000,2002) in 269 sites, in order to produce detailed maps of the spatial distribution of the main European vector, Culicoides imicola Kieffer and that of potential novel vectors. Whereas C. imicola was found at only 12% of sites, potential novel vectors, Culicoides obsoletus group Meigen, Culicoides pulicaris Linnaeus and Culicoides newsteadi Austen were present at over 50% of sites. However, the spatial distribution of C. imicola showed the closest correspondence to that of the 2000 and 2001 bluetongue (BT) outbreaks and its presence and abundance were significant predictors of the probability of an outbreak, suggesting that it was the main vector during these years. Although C. imicola may have played a role in transmission in several sites near Paternó, it was absent from the majority of sites at which outbreaks occurred in 2002 and from all sites in the province of Messina. All three potential novel vectors were widespread across sites at which outbreaks occurred during 2002. Of these, C. newsteadi was an unlikely candidate, as it was significantly less prevalent in outbreak vs. non-outbreak sites in Messina. It is hypothesized that the yearly distribution and intensity of outbreaks is directly attributable to the distribution and abundance of the vectors involved in transmission during each year. When C. imicola operated as the main vector in 2000 and 2001, outbreaks were few in number and were restricted to coastal regions due to low abundance and prevalence of this species. In 2002, it is hypothesized that BTV transmission was handed over to more prevalent and abundant novel vector species, leading to numerous and widespread outbreaks and probably to overwintering of the virus between 2001 and 2002. Based on catch ranges in outbreak vs. non-outbreak sites, it is tentatively suggested that nightly catches of 400 or more C. obsoletus and 150 or more C. pulicaris allow BTV transmission at a site, and provide a strategy for a fuller examination of the relationship between BTV transmission and the abundance and distribution of different vector species. [source] Reduction in an almond moth Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) population by means of mating disruptionPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 10 2006Camilla Ryne Abstract Pheromone-based mating disruption of the almond moth (Ephestia cautella) (Walk.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was carried out in a chocolate factory in Sweden. Population monitoring was conducted with pheromone-baited traps and water traps. Pheromone traps showed a 94% catch reduction, and monitoring with water traps showed a significant decrease in total catch (5.0 and 1.6 individuals per trap per week before and during treatment respectively). The significance of the results was tested by fitting the observed data to a first-order autoregressive model. This made it possible to test the data with a 95% confidence interval, comparing trap catches before mating disruption treatment with trapping data during the experiment. It is suggested that this statistical approach may be used more frequently in mating disruption experiments where it is extremely difficult to control external factors and therefore equally difficult to use a comparable control plot to evaluate the treatment. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Suppression of populations of Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), with a novel blowfly trapAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Rudolf Urech Abstract The Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, initiates more than 85% of fly strikes on sheep in Australia with an estimated average annual cost of A$280 million to the Australian sheep industry. LuciTrap® is a commercially available, selective trap for L. cuprina consisting of a plastic bucket with multiple fly entry cones and a synthetic attractant. The impact of LuciTrap on populations of L. cuprina on sheep properties in five Australian states was evaluated by comparing L. cuprina populations on paired properties with and without LuciTraps over seasons when significant fly populations could be expected. Twenty-four comparisons (trials) were conducted over 4 years. During times of ,higher fly density' (when the 48 h geometric mean of trap catches on the control property was greater than five L. cuprina), the overall geometric mean trap catches for control and trapped properties differed significantly (P < 0.001) with mean trap catches of 19.4 and 7.74 L. cuprina, respectively. The selectivity of the LuciTrap was confirmed with 59% of all trapped flies being L. cuprina. Chrysomya spp. and Calliphora spp. constituted 9.3% and 1.1% of the catches with a variety of other flies (mainly Sarcophagidae and Muscidae) providing the remainder (31%). Lucilia sericata was only trapped in Tasmania and made up 7.7% of the Lucilia spp. catch in that state. Seventy-two per cent of the trapped L. cuprina were female. The deployment of LuciTrap on sheep properties at one trap per 100 sheep from the beginning of the anticipated fly season suppressed the populations of L. cuprina by 60% compared with matched control properties. The LuciTrap is a selective and easy to use fly trap and constitutes an effective, non-insecticidal tool for use in integrated management programs for L. cuprina. [source] Summer activity patterns of nocturnal Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) of the southern tablelands of New South WalesAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Martin J Steinbauer Abstract, Australia has a rich diversity of Scarabaeoidea; however, little is known about the majority of them. Because adults of Anoplognathus, Automolius, Heteronychus, Heteronyx and Liparetrus in particular are reliant upon eucalypts, a number of bluegum plantation companies supported the commencement of research into the biology and ecology of scarabs of economic significance to them. Consequently, it was decided that the occurrences of species endemic to this area would be studied and it was assumed that information on the nocturnal species in the aforementioned genera would be obtained. From late November 2003 until late February 2004, the abundances of Scarabaeoidea caught in two light traps that partition insects caught on a given night into seven time periods each of 1.75 h duration were recorded. A total of 48 263 scarabs representing 21 genera were caught. Within the 14 species caught most often, six types of summer activity pattern were apparent: late spring to early summer (Australobolbus gayndahensis), early to mid-summer (Scitala sericans), mid-summer only (Sericesthis ignota), mid- to late summer (Acrossidius tasmaniae, Aphodius lividus, Heteronyx chlorotica, Het. praecox and Antitrogus morbillosus), late summer only (Ataenius picinus) and all summer (Anoplognathus pallidicollis, Phyllotocus macleayi, Sericesthis geminata, Ser. micans and Ser. nigrolineata). Abundances of nine species peaked between 21:30 and 23:15 h (Aph. lividus, Phy. macleayi, Het. chlorotica, Sci. sericans, Ser. geminata, Ser. micans, Ser. nigrolineata and possibly also Ant. morbillosus), three were most abundant between 19:45 and 21:30 h (Ano. pallidicollis, Ser. ignota and possibly also Ata. picinus), another two were most abundant from 19:45 to 23:15 h (Acr. tasmaniae and Het. praecox) and Aus. gayndahensis was most abundant between 23:15 and 01:00 h. Of course, it is not just a knowledge of the identity of the species and the timing of their occurrence that are important when making insect management decisions, but also the size of population needed to inflict economically significant loss. It is now beholden upon bluegum plantation companies to support further research to determine the relationships between light trap catches of eucalypt-feeding scarabs, tree age and/or size and level of defoliation in order to improve their confidence in this method of monitoring over ground surveys. [source] | ||||||||||