Efficient Trapping System Research Articles

Trapping processes of large volumes of natural hydrogen in the subsurface: The emblematic case of the Bourakebougou H2 field in Mali

Most of the ongoing discussions about natural hydrogen (H2) exploration focus on surface hydrogen occurrences and generation processes. However, the trapping process is the most critical issue with regard to both discovering significant accumulations of hydrogen in the subsurface and providing profitable clean energy production for humankind. The extremely high mobility of hydrogen molecules is due to their very small size that confers very diffusive properties, and this results in frequent surface seepages that have recently been recorded worldwide. During this study, we performed a detailed characterization of the caprocks (dolerites) that retain hydrogen in the Bourakebougou natural H2 field. Our investigation on the sealing capacity of these dolerites revealed that their thickness is important in addition to the density and size of their fractures. The role of aquifers has also been highlighted as contributing to the retention of H2 in subsurface. Indeed, hydrogen being poorly soluble in water at low pressure and temperature conditions, it is less likely to diffuse easily to the surface at shallow depth. This study highlights that the exploration of H2 fields should not be based only on the presence of an H2 generation process, but also based on the presence of a very efficient trapping system.

Sustainable Use of Macrotermes spp. to Improve Traditional Poultry Farming through an Efficient Trapping System in Burkina Faso.

Simple SummaryIn West Africa, termites are commonly used as protein feed for poultry by smallholder farmers who trap them by placing containers filled with organic matters on termite tracks. The objective of this study conducted in Burkina Faso was to test and improve the technique to increase the availability of termites for traditional poultry farmers. The study focused on termites of the genus Macrotermes and found that the quantity of termites trapped varied with the containers’ types, substrates placed in the container, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season. These results allow to provide information to farmers on how to optimize the trapping of Macrotermes species and increase the quantity of termites available as protein source for their poultry.This study aimed to promote the use of termites as feed in traditional poultry farming by developing sustainable and inexpensive termite trapping techniques. Various tests were carried out in Burkina Faso to improve the traditional technique of trapping termites of the genus Macrotermes using a reversed container filled with organic matters. We studied the effect of containers’ types, substrates, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season on the quantity of termites trapped. Calabashes and terra cotta pots trapped more termites than iron boxes, but calabashes were quickly destroyed by termites. The quantity of termites harvested increased proportionally with the volume of the pot and was higher in a cultivated habitat than in a forest, despite the higher number of termite mounds in the forest. The quantity of termites harvested was lowest in the cold-dry season and highest during the rainy season, however, sizeable amounts of termites were collected throughout the year. Among six substrates and mixtures of substrates tested, maize cobs trapped the highest number of termites and cow dung the lowest. The best time of harvest varied among seasons and, if substrates are abundant, it is more efficient to empty the containers on a daily basis.

Semiochemicals released from five bacteria identified from animal wounds infested by primary screwworms and their effects on fly behavioral activity.

BackgroundThe Primary screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), is a serious pest feeding on living flesh of any warm-blooded animal, including humans. It was eradicated from the United States in the early 1980s using the sterile male technique. However, it was recently detected in populations of wild deer and pets in the Florida Keys of the US. For monitoring purposes, screwworm flies are normally trapped using attractant bait with liver. However, there has been little effort to develop an efficient monitoring system for detection of screwworm flies using a specific synthetic attractant blend. Several studies have shown that odors from animal wound fluids attract screwworm adults, particularly gravid females. Bacteria associated with animal wounds have been identified that act as a major source for this attraction. To understand what volatiles attract screwworms we inoculated bovine blood with previously identified bacteria. We identified volatile chemicals released from the inoculated blood and other selected media over time and assessed the effect of those chemicals on behavioral activity of adult screwworm flies.Methodology/Principal findingsA total of 7 volatile compounds were collected from bacteria incubated in either broth or blood using solid-phase microextraction, and their chemical structures were identified by their characteristic mass spectrum fragments and confirmed by retention times in comparison to those of synthetic standards via gas chromatograph combined mass spectrometry analyses. Five major volatiles including dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, phenol, p-cresol and indole were detected from a mixture of 5 bacteria incubated in blood. The ratios of volatiles released differed among different incubation media, time and individual bacteria. A synthetic mixture containing the five compounds was demonstrated to be attractive to adult screwworm flies both in laboratory assays and field trapping trials.Conclusions/SignificanceThe results obtained from this study may assist in developing an efficient trapping system using the identified attractant blend to detect the infestation of primary screwworms. This is also the first study to explore the complex systems in volatile release profiles from 5 bacteria isolated from screwworm-infested animal wounds that are incubated with different media and incubation time, as well as individual and multi-species bacterial communities.

Effects of the wet catching method on the detection of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus from trapped longhorn beetle vectors

The pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causes pine wilt disease and is transmitted by Monochamus beetles. An efficient trapping system for these organisms is essential for their early detection in threatened regions. A wet catching method, using monoethylene glycol (MEG) in a collecting cup to preserve captured insects, was suitable for catching longhorn beetles. As a second step in developing this technique, we studied the influence of MEG on nematode detection. When M. galloprovincialis carrying PWN were submerged in MEG, nematodes died within 24 h. The preservative altered certain morphological features of nematodes immersed in solutions of 10, 30 or 60% MEG, impeding their morphological identification. However, molecular identification was possible as long as the MEG concentration was below 70%. At higher concentrations, a rinsing step with water before DNA extraction was enough to allow molecular detection. Wet trapping requires less frequent monitoring than dry trapping, thus reducing maintenance and related costs.

Semiochemistry and chemical ecology of the emerald ash borerAgrilus planipennis(Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

AbstractThe emerald ash borer (EAB),Agrilus planipennisFairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a very serious invasive pest in North America, causing extremely high levels of mortality to ash trees (FraxinusLinnaeus, Oleaceae) in the United States of America and Canada. Knowledge of buprestid chemical ecology is sparse, but the appearance of EAB in North America and its devastating ecological and economic impacts, particularly in the urban environment, have provided an opportunity to study the semiochemistry, natural history, and ecology of this buprestid in detail. This review will summarise the chemical ecology of EAB to date, discussing studies on semiochemistry, natural history, and behaviour with respect to host and mate finding that have identified several female-produced pheromone components (contact and sex pheromones), and attractive host kairomones. Earlier reviews focused on studies of attractive host volatiles with respect to development of a trapping system and visual and contact phenomena in EAB mate finding. This has led to the development of an efficient trapping system for EAB, with attempts to optimise the range of variables in trap protocols, combining pheromone components, release rates, and combinations with host kairomones, as well as trap type, placement, height, and colour being taken into account.

Development of an efficient trapping system for New Zealand flower thrips, Thrips obscuratus.

New Zealand flower thrips (NZFT), Thrips obscuratus (Crawford), is an economic pest of various horticultural crops in New Zealand and is recognised as a quarantine pest globally. Two chemical attractants (ethyl nicotinate and 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one), three dispensers, three trap designs and four trap heights were investigated to determine the most effective method for monitoring NZFT. Phenology of NZFT at two locations was compared. 6-Pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one in a polyethylene bag dispenser was the most attractive lure formulation and exhibited high stability in release rate trials. There was no difference in NZFT catch between vertical-panel and cross-panel traps, but both caught significantly more than delta traps. However, both types of panel trap had unacceptably high by-catch of native insects. Catch of thrips increased with height from 0 to 3 m. Phenology of NZFT showed similar population trends at both locations, but with a timing difference of around 50 days. Delta traps containing 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one in a polyethylene bag at 2 m above the ground is the recommended method for monitoring NZFT, significantly improving the sensitivity, accuracy and labour input compared with prior methods. Long-term monitoring of NZFT could lead to more accurate economic damage thresholds and timing for when to apply insecticides. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

A simple and efficient trapping system for the investigation of exhalation samples

A simple and efficient trapping system for the investigation of exhalation samples

Field Evaluation of Three Baits for South American Cucurbit Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Using McPhail Traps

Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), the South American cucurbit fruit fly, is a subtropical pest of cucurbits in southern Brazil. Its hosts include some varieties of pumpkin, squash and winter squash (genus Cucurbitae). Norrbom & Kim (1988) recorded A. grandis in 10 host plants (6 Cucurbitacea species). It is considered a quarantine pest by United States Department of Agriculture and cucurbits from countries where this species has been reported are not permitted entry into the United States. Little is known of the biology of the pest, except its geographical distribution. However, it is known to be genetically quite different from most common species of Anastrepha occurring in Brazil (Morgante et al. 1980). A. grandis is not widespread in Brazil like other Anastrepha species, but is present in small localized populations depending upon pumpkin availability. Although considered a quarantine species, there is only one questionable record indicating that A. grandis infests melons (Norrbom & Kim 1988), the main cucurbit produced by South American countries for exportation. A survey and monitoring program for establishment of A. grandis-free areas requires an efficient trapping system that may detect low density populations. Protein hydrolysate and torula yeast have been reported to be more effective as food bait for many tephritids including some species of Anastrepha (Lopez et al. 1968, 1971). A study showing that wild adults are attracted to McPhail traps with food baits, is desirable, to support detection programs in Latin America. We have attempted in this study to determine whether McPhail traps usually employed for Anastrepha are also effective for wild A. grandis and to determine which commonly available bait is the most attractive for this species. Since Anastrepha fraterculus, the South American fruit fly, occurs in high densities in most fruit growing areas in the southern area of Brazil (Malavasi & Morgante 1980), and is attracted to McPhail trap baited with sugar cane molasses (Malavasi & Morgante 1981), trap catches of this species were used to compare with those of A. grandis. The experiment was conducted in a non-commercial mixed fruit planting near Sao Roque, approximately 50 km west of Sao Paulo, during 7 consecutive weeks in AprilJune 1987. Collections of infested pumpkins in 1985 and 1986 revealed that A. grandis was present. We set up traps around a field that had pumpkins growing between rows of grapes. Traps were hung in host and non-host trees. We assumed that A. grandis has patterns of behavior similar to Anastrephafraterculus in that adults visit host and non-host trees for food, shelter and mating sites (Malavasi et al. 1983). Modified McPhail traps, made of polyethylene plastic, had 250 ml of bait capacity and were 20 cm high and 10 cm diameter, with a conical bottom entrance hole (2.5 cm diam) and four lateral, conical entrance holes (1.0 cm diam). Three baits were tested: 1% molasses (cane sugar syrup), 5% corn protein hydrolysate plus 3% borax (pH 9.0), and 4% torula yeast pellets (2 pellets per trap). Fifteen sets (one set = 3 traps) of traps, with the three types of bait were hung 1.7-2.3 m high. Seven sets were hung on persimmon trees, two on guavas, two on quaresmeira, one on peach, one on loquat, one on avocado, and one on pecan. All trees

A rapid, highly efficient trapping system for the collection of 3-indoleacetic acid from a gas chromatography column

A practical and highly efficient technique using concave folded glass fiber paper filter disks has been developed for the isolation and collection of 3-indoleacetic acid from a gas chromatography column. The glass fiber paper filter disks were found to be superior to glass wool as a cold trap packing medium. The described procedure can be readily adapted for routine laboratory analysis. Trapping efficiencies as high as 97% may be obtained using the Packard Fraction Collector, mocel 852, operating at 0°C.

Studies on mitochondria:: V. The relationship of structure and oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria of heart muscle

1. 1. The osmolar concentration of the sucrose medium suspending isolated heart mitochondria influences the rate of oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation. 2. 2. Low rates of oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation are associated with degenerative changes in the mitochondria. 3. 3. Such degenerative changes persist when phosphorylation is uncoupled from oxidation, or the high energy phosphate bonds are filtered off irreversibly into an efficient trapping system. 4. 4. Fluoride, which is an ATPase inhibitor, protects mitochondrial form. 5. 5. The alterations in mitochondrial configuration are closely associated with metabolic changes in the mitochondrial suspensions, although they are not extrapolated back to the cell as controllers of cellular metabolism.