Effects of Trap Color and Bait Type on Collection of Coleoptera in Pyramid Traps in Commercial Nurseries

Abstract

Pyramid-shaped traps were evaluated in Georgia for capturing potentially harmful coleopterans in ornamental plant nurseries. Beetle response to two colors and four bait types was compared. Four species of Buprestidae, 22 species of Cerambycidae, and three species of Curculionidae were captured in sufficient numbers for analysis during the 2-yr study. Coccinellidae, Carabidae, Trogositidae, Cleridae, and Chrysomelidae were also captured with frequency. Trap color did not have a significant effect on capture of pine-infesting weevils, although these weevil species were as much as five times more abundant in traps containing turpentine alone or a 1:1 mixture of turpentine: ethanol than ethanol alone or unbaited traps. Odontopus calceatus (Say), however, a weevil that attacks the foliage of tuliptree, sassafras and magnolia, was captured five times more frequently in yellow than in gray traps, although no influence of bait was observed for this species. Cerambycidae in general were not affected by trap color or bait. However, the banded hickory borer, Knulliana cincta (Drury), a cerambycid, was captured more frequently in gray traps as were buprestids in the genus Chrysobothris. Buprestis lineata was more commonly captured in traps baited with turpentine or ethanol/turpentine mixture. Chrysomelids (Altica sp.) were not affected by trap color or bait type. Timing of occurrence of adult beetles of 23 species of beetles are presented. The beneficial Coleoptera captured in the traps were either not affected by color or bait type (Carabidae) or were primarily attracted by yellow traps (Coccinellidae). Traps of the type used in this study can be easily constructed or may be purchased commercially and offer the nursery grower a practical monitoring tool for a variety of Coleoptera that attack woody plants.