6783

Novel Trap Useful in Capturing Sap (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and Other Flying

PATRICK F. DOWD, ROBERT J. BARTELTl, AND DONALD T. WICKLOW Mycotoxin Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA-ARS, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, Illinois 61604

J. Econ. Entomol. 85(3): 772-778 (1992) ABSTRACT A novel trap designed to catch sap beetles and many other insects is de­ scribed. This trap is durable, being manufactured from PVC pipe and brass screen. The modular trap orients in the wind such that air flows over screened-off bait compartments and through a screen funnel entrance. Insects approach and enter from down-wind and become trapped after passing through a wire mesh funnel. They subsequently move through a connecting tube, through an additional funnel, and into a removable collector. Catches of sap beetles were superior to a commercially available Japanese trap. Several thousand sap beetles (primarily lugubris ~vlurray) could be captured with appropriate baits over a 1-wk period. Fungi from the trapped sap beetles included Aspergillus jlavus Link:Fr. and numerous common genera with recognized as plant pathogens, entomopathogens, saprophytes, or biocontrol agents. Other families of insects that contain pests and were captured include Cantharidae, Chrysomelidae, Elateridae, Culicidae, Drosophilidae, Muscidae, Vespidae, and Noctuidae.

KEY WORDS Insecta, insect trap, sap beetles, Carpophilus

INSECT TR-\PS are nearlv as variable as the in­ traps," vane traps, and funnel-in-jar traps under sects they catch. Color~, capture mechanisms, field conditions resulted in relatively poor col­ and overall designs vary. Among the earliest lections compared with baited tin cans (which h'aps developed are those involving funnels allowed the beetles to enter and depart freely). and sticky materials. Other types in common Further examination of the traps in laboratory use include "bucket," collision, and collection settings with sap beetles such as the driedfruit traps involving crossed vanes and collecting beetle, Carpophilus hemipterus (L.), and the funnels. dusky , Carpophilus lugubris j\,Iurray, Sap beetles are important pests of fruits and indicated obvious problems with each trap type. vegetables as well as stored products (Hinton With funnels in jars, attractive odors did not ap­ 1945, Connell 1956). These beetles also vector a pear to be emitted at a sufficient rate to be at­ variety of microorganisms, including the fungi h'active compared with fully exposed baits. that produce aflatoxin (Lussenhop & Wicklow These two species of Carpophilus were found to 1990). Monitoring populations of these insects be very agile flyers and landers, such that colli­ has often involved trapping. Traps have also sions with vane-type traps were infrequent; in­ been used successfully to reduce populations of some species of nitidulids (Warner 1960, 1961). stead, the beetles landed directly on the vanes. Among the h'ap designs previously used are The sticky materials would not hold the beetles; baited "cans" (Luckmann 1963, Foote et al. they walked rapidly across and escaped from a 1976), Japanese beetle-type vane traps (AIm et commercially coated Delta trap (Pest Manage­ al. 1985), modified gypsy moth traps (AIm et al. ment Supply Company, Amherst, Mass.). Even 1986), and glass jar-based funnel traps (Smilan­ when card stock coated heavily with Tanglefoot ick et al. 1978). A comprehensive study ofknown (Pest Management Supply Company, Amherst, traps potentially useful for capturing sap beetles Mass.) was used, the beetles were able to escape has been reported recently (Peng & Williams within 1 h. Thus, it was necessary to develop a 1991). Our initial attempts at using "sticky trap that would readily release attractive vola­ tiles, yet be able to catch agile insects not prone to capture with sticky materials. Such a trap, con­ structed primarily of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) This article reports the results ofresearch only. Mention ofa pipe and screen wire, with an attachment to pro­ proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement Or a mote wind orientation, is described herein. A recommendation for its use bv USDA. modification that permits monitoring the pres­ 1 Bioactive Constituents Re'search Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA-ARS, 1815 N. Uni­ ence of fungi or other microorganisms calTied by versity St., Peoria, Illinois 61604. insects is also described. 778 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC Vol. 85, no. 3 ganisms (Fig. 2) during w'ashing. Placement of tities ofsap beetle species; S. Sipp for assistance at the funnels up inside the tube as opposed to the end University ofIllinois, Illinois River Sand Field Exper­ of the tube helped reduce damage. Silicone ce­ iment Station; and C. Platis, K. Seaton, and C. Weber ment appeared to be more useful in securing for technical assistance. parts where flexing occurred, such as the vial lids. In some cases, large insects plugged the end of the polyethylene funnel. As indicated earlier, References Cited this problem was solved by inserting an excluder screen in the neck ofthe tee before the end with AIm, S. R., F. R. Hall, T. L. Ladd, Jr. & R. N. Williams. the funnel, such that the holes in the screen were 1985. A chemical attractant for Glischrochilus slightly smaller than that of the polyethylene quadrisignatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). J. Econ. funnel. Other useful refinements included use of Entomo!' 78: 839-843. plastic-coated multistrand wire to suspend traps, AIm, S. R., F. R. Hall, T. P. McGovern & R. N. again apparently because it would endure more Williams. 1986. Attraction of Glischrochilus flexing than single-strand wire. Use of the par­ quadrisignatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to semio­ tially horizontally mounted fin increased re­ chemicals: butyl acetate and propyl propionate. J. Econ. Entomol. 79: 654-658. sponse to wind direction but interfered some­ Bartelt, R. J., P. F. Dowd, H. H. Shorey & D. Weisle­ what with beetle landings. der. 1990. Aggregation pheromone of Car­ Overall, however, the traps were typically very pophilusfreemani: a blend ofconjugated triene and durable throughout the several-month exposure tetraene hydrocarbons. Chemoecology 1: 105-113. periods. These traps were unbreakable, and the Bartelt, R. J., P. F. Dowd & R. D. Plattner. 1991. materials did not rust or photodegrade. Although Aggregation pheromone of Carpophilus lugubris: somewhat costly (=$2.50 each in materials) com­ new pest management tools for the nitidulid bee­ pared with paper sticky traps, the traps are made tles, pp. 27-40. In P. E. Hedin [ed.], Naturally oc­ from readily available materials. Availability of curring pest bioregulators. ACS Symposium Series different size and color pipe from plumbing sup­ 449. American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. ply houses allows for ready construction of dif­ Connell, W. A. 1956. Nitidulidae of Delaware. ferent traps appropriate for different sized in­ Univ. Del. Agric. Exp. Stu. Tech. Bull. 318. sects. Use of molded screen (e.g., Fiberglas) Dowd, P. F. & T. C. Sparks. 1986. Characterization would be useful for other insects and is likely to ofa trans-permethrin hydrolyzing enzyme from the be less expensive. Where contact with baits is midgut of Pseudoplusia includens (Walker). Pestic. not a concern, the bait could be enclosed inside Biochem. Physio!. 25: 73-81. the tee without the extra bait compartment, as Foote, W. H. & J. E. Hybsky. 1976. Capture of could the funnel iflonger-armed tees were avail­ Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in bait traps 1970-1974. Can. Entomo!' able. The modular organization allows for many 108: 837-839. different variations to be applied to a basic de­ Hinton, H. E. 1945. A monograph of the beetles as­ sign. sociated with stored products. Jarrold, Norwich, These h'aps are more durable than those based England. on glass Mason jars and do not contaminate in­ Luckmann, W. H. 1963. Observations on the biol­ sects as do sticky-type traps. Insects can be re­ ogy and control ofGlischrochilus quadrisignatus. J. covered live readily, especially if the traps are Econ. Entomol. 56: 681-686. checked frequently or food is placed in the col­ Lussenhop, J. L. & D. T. Wicklow. 1990. Nitidulid lecting vial-cup-bag. Similarly, insects can be beetles as a source of Aspergillus flavus infective readily killed by incorporating insecticide or inoculum. Trans. Jpn. Mycol. Soc. 31: 63-74. soapy liquids in these same compartments. Use Peng, C. & R. N. Williams. 1991. Effect of trap de­ of the fin allows the traps to orient in the wind sign, trap height, and habitat on the capture of sap such that odors exit the funnel end of the trap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) using whole­ and allow insects to approach upwind and enter wheat bread dough. J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 1515­ the traps. The design lends itself to monitoring 1519. microbial contaminants of insects because it can Smilanick, J. M., L. E. Ehler & M. C. Birch. 1978. be immersed in a disinfectant solution between Attraction of Carpophilus spp. to volatile com­ collections. Use of appropriate baits and modifi­ pounds of figs. J. Chem. Eco!' 4: 700-711. Warner, R. M. 1960. Area baiting to control Droso­ cation of traps to allow entry of insects of the phila and nitidulid beetles. Proc. Calif. Fig lnst. 14: desired size should allow this trap to be used to 35-38. capture virtually any species of flying insect. 1961. Area baiting program-1960 results. Proc. Acknowledgment Calif. Fig lnst. 15: 36-40. We thank J. M. Kingsolver of the Systematic Ento­ Received for publication 17June 1991; accepted 24 mology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, for confirming iden- JarlUan} 1992.

Supplied by U.S. Dept of Mj::)ll:UHUil National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois