Monitoring populations of the carrot fly, Psila rosae, with sticky and water traps

Abstract

SummaryThe relative, effectiveness of Rebell®, small cylinder, large cylinder, windmill and water traps, the five types of trap used currently for monitoring populations of the carrot fly, Psila rosae, was assessed in nine field experiments, three in south west Lancashire, four in the Fens (Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire), one in East Suffolk and one at Wellesbourne, Warwickshire. Regression analysis of the numbers of flies caught on each type of trap against the numbers caught on the Rebell® trap indicated that each trap samples a constant proportion of the fly population relative to the other traps. Therefore, provided the fly population was sufficiently large for insects to be caught on the least effective traps, any of the five traps would monitor adequately fluctuations in carrot fly populations. However, the Rebell® trap caught 4–17 times as many flies/trap and 5–7 times as many flieshnit area of trap as any of the other traps tested.Operators considered the Rebell® trap to be the easiest to use. However, it was more expensive than any of the other traps tested.