Effect of design of a sex-pheromone-baited delta trap on behavior and catch of maleEpiphyas postvittana (Walker)

Abstract

Through field trials and wind-tunnel studies, we have demonstrated that certain structural features of a sex-pheromone-baited delta trap affect catch of light-brown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana, males, by influencing behaviors used to enter and exit the trap. Field catch of males was dependent upon length (and width) of the trap, with increases in length yielding linear increases in catch. In the wind tunnel, similar numbers of males entered the two traps, but significantly fewer males exited the longer trap within 1 min after entering it. Although males landed on the sticky surface at similar distances from the downwind entrances of the traps, they were stuck farther upwind on the longer trap. Thus, it is probable that the increase in field catch with increase in trap length relates to the increase in distance (and hence time) that males walk on the sticky surface, towards the pheromone source, before attempting to exit. The bottom barriers (as well as additional barriers at the top and sides) at the entrances of the trap also significantly influenced trap catch. The barriers apparently influence trap catch in two ways. Firstly, they hinder the exit of males from the trap, thus diverting males back into the trap and increasing their chance of being caught. Secondly, they influence where the male lands on the sticky surface; with higher barriers, males land farther upwind (i.e., nearer the source), and thus farther from an exit. Finally, as the source was suspended higher above a horizontal surface, greater numbers of males landed on the source. This result shows that the position where a maleE. postvittana lands is influenced by the relationship of the source to the surface and suggests that trap catch of males may similarly be influenced (i.e., by inducing males to land farther from the exits).