An Improved Device for Collecting Pink Bollworm Moths for Large-Scale Rearing Programs1

Abstract

During development of our large-scale rearing program there has been a gradual transition from hand labor to mechanization. Devices have been developed eliminating need for a large labor force and contributing a degree of efficiency not possible with hand labor. During the early stages of the program it was recognized that collection of emerging adults required a technique that would utilize the insects physical responses, i.e. phototactic and geotactic. A device used early in the program was a modification of the 4-gal frozen-food can described by Richmond and Husman (1957), but it proved inadequate as production increased. A cardboard collecting box was then developed that utilized plastic ice cream containers as the trap. Pupae were placed in the cardboard box and when they emerged they were moved into the plastic traps in response to dim overhead incandescent light. This was superior to the frozen-food can but required considerable labor in constructing boxes, cleaning, and decontaminating the reusable plastic traps. Also a considerable loss occurred where moths died inside the cardboard boxes, apparently because they were unable to locate the small exit holes. A device was constructed (Mangum et al. 1969) utilizing a series of cardboard boxes connected by plastic manifold pipes to a central trap. A gentle flow of air was pulled through the pipes and a BL lamp was used to attract the moths into the traps. The device was adequate for large-scale production, but it required use of specially made cardboard boxes. Care had to be taken that the boxes fitted properly, otherwise emerging moths could escape. There was also some mortality inside the boxes. This collection method has now been superseded by a device that eliminates use of cardboard boxes and uses both the phototactic and geotactic responses of the insect.