Effects of Light Trap Structure and Lamp Type on the Attraction of Chestnut Pests in an Orchard

AbstractCertain fungus gnats, like Lycoriella ingenua are notorious pests in agriculture, especially in mushroom production. While larvae cause mainly direct crop damage, adults are vectors of several dangerous fungal pathogens. To promote the development of pesticide-free management methods, such as light trapping, we measured the spectral sensitivity of L. ingenua compound eyes with electroretinography and performed two different behavioural experiments to reveal the wavelength dependence of phototaxis in this species. The spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes is bimodal with peaks at 370 nm (UV) and 526 nm (green). Behavioural experiments showed that attraction to light as a function of wavelength depends on light intensity. In our first experiment, where the minimal photon flux (105–109 photons/cm2/s) needed for eliciting a phototactic response was determined wavelength by wavelength, phototaxis was strongest in the green spectral range (~526 nm). In the other behavioural experiment, where wavelength preference was tested under a higher but constant light intensity (~1013 photons/cm2/s), the highest attraction was elicited by UV wavelengths (398 nm). Our results suggest that both UV and green are important spectral regions for L. ingenua thus we recommend to use both UV (~370-398 nm) and green (~526 nm) for trapping these insects.

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An Efficient Alternative to the CDC Gravid Trap for Southern House Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Surveillance

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa259 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Timothy D McNamara ◽

Thomas A O’Shea-Wheller ◽

Nicholas DeLisi ◽

Emily Dugas ◽

Kevin A Caillouet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Red Light ◽

Light Trap ◽

The United States ◽

Light Traps ◽

Efficient Alternative ◽

Gravid Trap ◽

Trapping Trials

Abstract West Nile virus (WNV) is the most prevalent arbovirus found throughout the United States. Surveillance of surface breeding Culex vectors involved in WNV transmission is primarily conducted using CDC Gravid traps. However, anecdotal claims from mosquito abatement districts in Louisiana assert that other trap types may be more suited to WNV surveillance. To test the validity of these assertions, we conducted a series of trapping trials and WNV surveillance over 3 yr to compare the efficacy of multiple trap types. First, we compared the CDC Gravid trap, CO2-baited New Standard Miniature Blacklight traps, and CO2-baited CDC light traps with either an incandescent light, a red light, or no light. We found that the CDC Gravid trap and CO2-baited no-light CDC Light trap collected the most mosquitoes. Second, we conducted additional, long-term trapping and WNV surveillance to compare these two trap types. We found that CO2-baited no-light CDC traps collected more of the local WNV vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Say, Diptera, Culicidae), and detected WNV with greater sensitivity. Finally, we conducted trapping to compare the physiological states of Cx. quinquefasciatus and diversity of collected mosquitoes. CO2-baited no-light CDC light traps collected more unfed Cx. quinquefasciatus while Gravid traps collected more blooded Cx. quinquefasciatus; both traps collected the same number of gravid Cx. quinquefasciatus. Additionally, we found that CO2-baited no-light CDC light traps collected a larger diversity of mosquito species than Gravid traps.

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Phylogenetic Complexity of Morphologically Identified Anopheles squamosus in Southern Zambia

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12020146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 146

Author(s):

Jordan Hoffman ◽

Ilinca Ciubotariu ◽

Limonty Simubali ◽

Twig Mudenda ◽

William Moss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Catchment Area ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Light Trap ◽

Current Control ◽

Control Measures ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

The Past ◽

Blood Meal Source ◽

Residual Malaria Transmission

Despite dramatic reductions in malaria cases in the catchment area of Macha Hospital, Choma District, Southern Province in Zambia, prevalence has remained near 1–2% by RDT for the past several years. To investigate residual malaria transmission in the area, this study focuses on the relative abundance, foraging behavior, and phylogenetic relationships of Anopheles squamosus specimens. In 2011, higher than expected rates of anthropophily were observed among “zoophilic” An. squamosus, a species that had sporadically been found to contain Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites. The importance of An. squamosus in the region was reaffirmed in 2016 when P. falciparum sporozoites were detected in numerous An. squamosus specimens. This study analyzed Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light trap collections of adult mosquitoes from two collection schemes: one performed as part of a reactive-test-and-treat program and the second performed along a geographical transect. Morphological identification, molecular verification of anopheline species, and blood meal source were determined on individual samples. Data from these collections supported earlier studies demonstrating An. squamosus to be primarily exophagic and zoophilic, allowing them to evade current control measures. The phylogenetic relationships generated from the specimens in this study illustrate the existence of well supported clade structure among An. squamosus specimens, which further emphasizes the importance of molecular identification of vectors. The primarily exophagic behavior of An. squamosus in these collections also highlights that indoor vector control strategies will not be sufficient for elimination of malaria in southern Zambia.

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An Automated Light Trap to Monitor Moths (Lepidoptera) Using Computer Vision-Based Tracking and Deep Learning

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21020343 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 343

Author(s):

Kim Bjerge ◽

Jakob Bonde Nielsen ◽

Martin Videbæk Sepstrup ◽

Flemming Helsing-Nielsen ◽

Toke Thomas Høye

Keyword(s):

Computer Vision ◽

Deep Learning ◽

Vision System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Light Trap ◽

Automatic Monitoring ◽

Light Sources ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Computer Vision System ◽

Substantial Investment

Insect monitoring methods are typically very time-consuming and involve substantial investment in species identification following manual trapping in the field. Insect traps are often only serviced weekly, resulting in low temporal resolution of the monitoring data, which hampers the ecological interpretation. This paper presents a portable computer vision system capable of attracting and detecting live insects. More specifically, the paper proposes detection and classification of species by recording images of live individuals attracted to a light trap. An Automated Moth Trap (AMT) with multiple light sources and a camera was designed to attract and monitor live insects during twilight and night hours. A computer vision algorithm referred to as Moth Classification and Counting (MCC), based on deep learning analysis of the captured images, tracked and counted the number of insects and identified moth species. Observations over 48 nights resulted in the capture of more than 250,000 images with an average of 5675 images per night. A customized convolutional neural network was trained on 2000 labeled images of live moths represented by eight different classes, achieving a high validation F1-score of 0.93. The algorithm measured an average classification and tracking F1-score of 0.71 and a tracking detection rate of 0.79. Overall, the proposed computer vision system and algorithm showed promising results as a low-cost solution for non-destructive and automatic monitoring of moths.

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Efficacy of mass trapping of tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), using a new-designed light trap in reducing leaf and fruit damages in greenhouse-grown tomatoes

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection ◽

10.1007/s41348-021-00473-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fedai Erler ◽

Yunus Bayram

Keyword(s):

Light Trap ◽

Tuta Absoluta ◽

Mass Trapping

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A new type of collapsible insect-surveillance light trap for sampling Diptera

Medical and Veterinary Entomology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2915.1987.tb00347.x ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 215-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

L. R. BOOBAR ◽

M. R. SARDELIS ◽

J. H. NELSON ◽

W. M. BROWN

Keyword(s):

Light Trap ◽

New Type

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Seasonal population changes in cocoa capsids (Hemiptera, Miridae) in Ghana

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300056832 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 279-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

D. G. Gibbs ◽

A. D. Pickett ◽

Dennis Leston

Keyword(s):

Light Trap ◽

West African ◽

Mercury Vapour ◽

Feeding Sites ◽

Vegetative Tissues ◽

Main Crop ◽

Sahlbergella Singularis ◽

Dry Conditions ◽

Seasonal Population ◽

Direct Counts

Pupulations of the West African cocoa capsids Distantiella theobroma (Dist.) and Sahlbergella singularis Hagl. were sampled in 1966–67 by several methods: fast knockdown over sheets with pyrethrum, mercury-vapour light-trap, direct counts in a small artificially established area of high population, and observations of presence or absence in randomly selected inspection squares.A population build-up in mature cocoa accompanies and probably directly depends on development of the main crop from July or August to October. When pods become scarce after harvesting there is in S. singilaris a period of dispersal in which the species becomes more widespread as feeding is transferred to vegetative tissues, and in D. theobroma a more local change of feeding sites.Subsequent events vary greatly between areas and between years. It is suggested that the extent to which capsids are able to utilise vegetative tissues varies and depends on nutritional changes in the external parenchymatous tissues from which their food is obtained.Low humidities during spells of harmattan in January and February almost certainly kill larvae in exposed situations, but feeding conditions following such periods may be particularly favourable to capsids as large rapid population increases can occur locally. The factors involved are obscure but may be related to processes of regeneration stimulated by leaf loss and other damage in dry conditions.The densities and seasonal patterns found are discussed in relation to results of previous workers and some implications for control briefly considered.

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Bluetongue virus in a Nigerian dairy cattle herd: 1. Serological studies and correlation of virus activity to vector population

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s0022172400028849 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 90 (2) ◽

pp. 177-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

K. A. J. Herniman ◽

J. P. T. Boorman ◽

W. P. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Light Trap ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Decay Rates ◽

Vector Population ◽

Virus Activity ◽

Serological Studies ◽

Trap Catches

SUMMARYNewborn calves were bled at monthly intervals and examined for serum antibodies to bluetongue virus (BTV). Maternal immunity persisted for 3 months and it was possible to calculate decay rates for virus neutralizing antibody. Calves were subclinically infected with BTV within a few months of becoming susceptible and neutralization tests were used to deduce the serotype responsible. A profile of virus activity was built up over a 12 month period. Frequent light trap catches were used to examine the population dynamics of suspected Culicoides vector species. Two species, imicola and schultzei were present throughout the wet and dry seasons and survival rates were sufficiently long to account for virus transmission at any time of the year.

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Activity patterns and habitat preferences of insectivorous bats in a West African forest–savanna mosaic

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467404001373 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 397-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Christoph F. J. Meyer ◽

Christian J. Schwarz ◽

Jakob Fahr

Keyword(s):

Open Space ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Light Trap ◽

Negative Influence ◽

Foraging Activity ◽

The Moon ◽

Constant Frequency ◽

Insectivorous Bats ◽

Bat Activity

We studied activity patterns and habitat use by insectivorous bats in Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast. Bat foraging activity was quantified along five transects representing three different habitat types using acoustic monitoring and captures with mist nets and harp traps. Aerial insect abundance was assessed using a light trap; in addition shrub and tree arthropods were sampled. Bat activity was significantly and positively related to insect availability and ambient temperature, whereas increased visibility of the moon had a negative influence on flight activity. Together, these factors best explained both total bat activity and activity of bats hunting in open space and edge habitats. The interaction between temperature and light intensity was the best predictor of activity by species foraging in obstacle-rich forest habitats, however, the regression model had a low predictive value. Overall, a large proportion (c. 50%) of the variation in bat activity appeared to be a consequence of transect- and/or habitat-specific influences. We found a significant non-linear relationship between the activity of QCF (quasi-constant frequency) and FM–QCF (frequency modulated – quasi-constant frequency) bats and the phase of the moon, with lowest levels of activity occurring near full moon. We interpret this lunar-phobic behaviour as a reflection of a higher predation risk during moonlit periods. For FM (steep frequency modulated) and CF (constant frequency) bats, no significant correlation was found, although there was a trend suggesting that these bats at least were not negatively affected by bright moonlight. Foraging activity of bats was positively correlated with the abundance of atympanate moths; however, no such correlation was found for tympanate moths.

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