Investigating possibilities in attracting invasive green anoles with live and artificial baits

Abstract

Traps are often used as effective tools for eradicating invasive predators. Traps with baits are more effective than those without baits, and live baits are expected to be more effective than artificial ones. However, keeping live baits fresh is often difficult and labour-intensive; thus, artificial baits are to be desired. In this study, we verified the effectiveness of live and artificial baits with or without movement in attracting the invasive green anole Anolis carolinensis. We conducted behavioural experiments in a laboratory with four treatments (live flies, artificial flies without movement, artificial flies with movement and no bait). We placed one of the four bait treatments in a transparent square tube and observed whether a green anole entered the tube (i.e., was attracted) within 30 min. Bait effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the number of attracted and unattracted individuals to that of the control. Green anoles were attracted to live flies but not to artificial flies with or without movement. Our study confirmed that live baits are useful as attractants for green anoles. Artificial baits and those with movement were not attractive, probably because of their monotony. Artificial baits with more complex movements can possibly attract green anoles, and future studies investigating this possibility are needed.