Standard Trap Research Articles

A sustainable grower-based method for entomopathogenic nematode production.

Entomopathogenic nematodes in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, produced through in vitro or in vivo methods, are effective insect biological control agents. In vivo production yields good-quality nematodes, but the costs associated with obtaining insects and labor make this production system have a low economy of scale. Conceivably, if growers can produce their own nematodes, then the cost could be reduced. Grower-based production systems described to-date are not sustainable because they rely on outside sources to obtain or calibrate inoculum. Here, we describe a self-sufficient grower-based system where the grower can produce in-house nematodes after obtaining the initial inoculum from a reliable source. We validated our approach in 2 experiments comparing in vivo nematode production from standard White traps and a grower-based approach using polyacrylamide gel. For both tested species, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, the grower-based approach produced equal to or more nematodes than the standard method. For example, when comparing the average yield of S. carpocapsae-infective juveniles per Galleria mellonella cadaver (n = 30), the standard White trap method produced 159,114 ± 9,669, whereas the grower-based approach produced 244,029 ± 16,241. The sustainable system described herein has promise for wide adoption by growers.

High-quality DNA isolation protocol for detection of Khapra beetle (Dermestidae: Trogoderma granarium Everts, 1898) in standard wheat germ trap.

Khapra beetle (Dermestidae: Trogoderma granarium Everts, 1898) is an internationally significant pest of grain crops and stored grain products. Wheat germ traps, routinely used in surveillance sampling of Khapra beetle provide feed-substrates used by the pest throughout its life cycle. However, Khapra beetle larvae, eggs and other traces of the pest, such as larval frass and exuviae, in wheat germ traps are difficult to sort and taxonomically identify. Additionally, high levels of polysaccharides in wheat germ can inhibit PCR based molecular detection of this pest captured in the traps. We have developed a sensitive and low-cost protocol for extracting trace levels of Khapra beetle DNA from an entire wheat germ trap. Overnight digestion of entire trap contents in 6 mL of ATL buffer, followed by a 40min lysis step was optimal for DNA extraction. Paired with reported qPCR assays, this protocol allows the detection of a few hairs of T. granarium in a typical 2-gram wheat germ trap. This DNA extraction protocol makes it possible to perform a more rapid identification of the pest following wheat germ sample collection. The protocol has potential to improve international efforts for Khapra beetle surveillance.

Litter dynamics and nutrient flux in endemic bamboo species Dendrocalamus stocksii plantations in moist semi-arid zones of peninsular India

The study was undertaken to understand litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient release pattern of popularly grown bamboo species, Dendrocalamus stocksii, in the moist semi-arid agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, India. The litter production and decomposition were studied using the standard litter trap and bag techniques. The total annual litter production in 2017 was 6.03 Mg ha-1 year-1 for Gottipura and 5.81 t ha-1 year-1 for Nallal. Litter production was continuous, but the quantity of litter produced varied with season and month. Nutrient concentrations in monthly litter samples varied. Peak litter fall was concentrated during the hot-dry period (February-May) as 62.8 per cent at Gottipura and 52.2 per cent at Nallal site. The collected litter from the litter traps was dominated by leaf litter. Litter production followed a similar pattern for both locations, with a major peak in March 2017, it was found that both types of litter and filter paper had an initial rapid phase of decomposition followed by a slower phase. The increase in percentage nutrient content in litter samples found in litter bags collected month-wise have been attributed to the high temperature and increased rates of mineralization assisted by soil microbes over the low immobilization rate.

Optimized Suspension Trapping Method for Phosphoproteomics Sample Preparation.

A successful mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics analysis relies on effective sample preparation strategies. Suspension trapping (S-Trap) is a novel, rapid, and universal method of sample preparation that is increasingly applied in bottom-up proteomics studies. However, the performance of the S-Trap protocol for phosphoproteomics studies is unclear. In the existing S-Trap protocol, the addition of phosphoric acid (PA) and methanol buffer creates a fine protein suspension to capture proteins on a filter and is a critical step for subsequent protein digestion. Herein, we demonstrate that this addition of PA is detrimental to downstream phosphopeptide enrichment, rendering the standard S-Trap protocol suboptimal for phosphoproteomics. In this study, the performance of the S-Trap digestion for proteomics and phosphoproteomics is systematically evaluated in large-scale and small-scale samples. The results of this comparative analysis show that an optimized S-Trap approach, where trifluoroacetic acid is substituted for PA, is a simple and effective method to prepare samples for phosphoproteomics. Our optimized S-Trap protocol is applied to extracellular vesicles to demonstrate superior sample preparation workflow for low-abundance, membrane-rich samples.

‘Caro’: Bad Bunny and the symbolic rupture of gender

In early 2019, Bad Bunny, a leading urbano latino artist, released the music video to his song ‘Caro’. As a musical track, the song can easily be heard as standard Latin trap fare that centres the ostentatious masculinity of its protagonist. The video, however, definitively disrupts gendered/generic norms by layering the performances of Bad Bunny and Jazmyne Joy, a model featured in the role of Bad Bunny. Their dual performance of a single persona, deploying both drag and ventriloquism, challenges the perceived boundedness of gender and genre by calling into question the boundaries of the body itself. Gender and genre are treated here as conceptual sisters that afford the rupture of their respective boundaries in the elaborative act of performance. Thus, in ‘Caro’, the theories of Judith Butler and Georgina Born are generatively exemplified and mutually illuminated, affirming the contingency and performativity at the centre of both.

S/Se-Terchalcogenophene-C60 Dyads: Synthesis and Characterization of Optical and Photosensitizing Properties.

Fullerenes have been long investigated for application as singlet oxygen sources. Even though they possess high photosensitizing efficiency, their practical use is still limited, mostly because of insufficient absorption of visible and/or near-infrared light. This limitation can be overcome by introducing organic chromophores that absorb longer-wavelength light, either by covalent attachment to C60 or by its encapsulation in a polymeric matrix. In this work, we investigated the photosensitizing properties of the C60 molecule functionalized with organic units comprising thiophene or selenophene rings. The chemical structures of the synthesized dyads were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The influence of the S/Se atoms and vinyl linkage between the organic unit and C60 on the absorptive and emissive properties of the dyads was investigated and correlated with their photosensitizing activity. For the latter, we used a standard chemical singlet oxygen trap. A selected dyad C60ThSe2 was also applied as a source of singlet oxygen in a model photocatalyzed synthesis of the fine chemical juglone from 1,5-dihydroxynapthalene.

Habitat and Season Effects on Small Mammal Bycatch in Live Trapping.

Trapping small mammals is frequently used to study the dynamics, demography, behavior and presence of pathogens. When only particular small mammal species are in the focus of interest, all other species are unnecessary bycatch. We analyzed data from extensive live trapping campaigns conducted over the last decade in Germany, following a consistent standard trapping protocol that resulted in about 18,500 captures of small mammals. Animals were trapped with Ugglan multiple capture traps in grassland, forest and margin habitat. Trap success and the proportion of bycatch were about 30% when target species were common voles (Microtus arvalis) in grassland and common voles and bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in margins and forests. This was more pronounced in spring and along margins. Species mentioned in the early warning list according to the Red List Germany were higher in numbers and proportion in spring and in grassland. The results will help to avoid periods with enhanced presence of bycatch, including endangered species (if the purpose of the study allows) or to pay particular attention in certain seasons and habitats when the occurrence of bycatch is most likely.

Development of Novel Early Detection Technology for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae).

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand, threatens hemlock forests throughout eastern North America. Management efforts focus on early detection of HWA to ensure rapid management responses to control and stop the spread of this pest. This study's goal was to identify an affordable, efficient trap to aid with airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling approaches as an early monitoring tool for HWA. We initially compared HWA detection success between a standard sticky trap, commonly used for HWA monitoring, and trap designs potentially compatible with eDNA protocols (i.e., passive trap, funnel trap, and motorized trap). Passive, funnel, and motorized traps' estimated capture success probabilities compared to sticky traps were 0.87, 0.8, and 0.4, respectively. A secondary evaluation of a modified version of the motorized trap further assessed trap performance and determined the number of traps needed in a set area to efficiently detect HWA. By modifying the original motorized trap design, its estimated capture success probability increased to 0.67 compared to a sticky trap. Overall, the cumulative capture success over the 16-week sampling period for the motorized trap was 94% and 99% for the sticky trap. The number of traps did impact capture success, and trap elevation and distance to infested hemlocks influenced the number of adelgids captured per trap. As eDNA-based monitoring approaches continue to become incorporated into invasive species surveying, further refinement with these types of traps can be useful as an additional tool in the manager's toolbox.

Wind Tunnel and Field Evaluation of Trapping Efficiency of Semiochemical Baited Camera-Traps for Capturing Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Sex pheromone baited monitoring traps are a critical tool for integrated pest management decisions against many insects, particularly codling moths (Cydia pomonella L.). The addition of cameras for remote monitoring has the potential to enhance the usefulness of these important tools. However, changes in trap design could potentially alter plume structure and trapping efficiency of these new traps. Here we look at several trap configurations designed to optimize the capture of codling moths in traps equipped with cameras. We found that, in both wind tunnel and field trials, camera equipped triangle traps and camera equipped rectangle traps (both V1 and V2) caught codling moths equivalent to a standard 'delta' style trap. While catch was unaffected, altering our rectangular trap opening from 4 to 8 cm (V1 and V2, respectively) decreased frequency of moths contacting the front of trap and increased the frequency of moths flying directly into the trap. We show that these novel camera equipped semiochemical-baited traps catch equivalent to the industry standard white delta trap.

Moth Diversity Increases along a Continent-Wide Gradient of Environmental Productivity in South African Savannahs.

Simple SummaryEnvironmental productivity is considered among the key factors responsible for the uneven distribution of biodiversity on the globe, despite the lack of comprehensive studies for many groups of organisms and regions. We partly filled this gap by this study of moth diversity along the unique continent-wide gradient of environmental productivity across southern African savannahs. We revealed a significantly positive relationship of the moth species richness and environmental productivity, which we did not observe for moth abundance. We hypothesize the effects of water availability, habitat complexity, and plant diversity drive the described relationships.Environmental productivity, i.e., the amount of biomass produced by primary producers, belongs among the key factors for the biodiversity patterns. Although the relationship of diversity to environmental productivity differs among studied taxa, detailed data are largely missing for most groups, including insects. Here, we present a study of moth diversity patterns at local and regional scales along a continent-wide gradient of environmental productivity in southern African savannah ecosystems. We sampled diversity of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) at 120 local plots along a gradient of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the Namib Desert to woodland savannahs along the Zambezi River. By standardized light trapping, we collected 12,372 specimens belonging to 487 moth species. The relationship between species richness for most analyzed moth groups and environmental productivity was significantly positively linear at the local and regional scales. The absence of a significant relationship of most moth groups’ abundance to environmental productivity did not support the role of the number of individuals in the diversity–productivity relationship for south African moths. We hypothesize the effects of water availability, habitat complexity, and plant diversity drive the observed moth diversity patterns.

Estimating the density of small mammals using the selfie trap is an effective camera trapping method

Camera trapping to study wildlife allows for data collection, without the need to capture animals. Traditionally, camera traps have been used to target larger terrestrial mammal species, though recently novel methods and adjustments in procedures have meant camera traps can be used to study small mammals. The selfie trap (a camera trapping method) may present robust sampling and ecological study of small mammals. This study aimed to evaluate the selfie trap method in terms of its ability to detect species and estimate population density. To address this aim, standard small mammal live trapping was undertaken, immediately followed by camera trapping using the selfie trap. Both methods were set to target the arboreal sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and semi-arboreal brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii). The more ground-dwelling bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) was also live trapped and recorded on camera. Across four survey areas, the probability of detection for each of the three species was higher for selfie traps than for live trapping. Spatially explicit capture-recapture models showed that selfie traps were superior at estimating density for brown antechinus and sugar gliders, when compared to simulated live trapping data. Hit rates (number of videos per various time intervals) were correlated with abundance. When correlating various hit rate intervals with abundance, the use of 10-min hit rate was best for predicting sugar glider abundance (R2 = 0.94). The abundance of brown antechinus was estimated from selfie traps using a 24-h hit rate as a predictor (R2 = 0.85). For sugar gliders, the selfie trap can replace live trapping as individuals can be identified through their unique facial stripes and natural ear scars, and thus used in capture-recapture analysis. This method may be useful for monitoring the abundance of other small mammal species that can also be individually recognized from photographs.

Dexterous holographic trapping of dark-seeking particles with Zernike holograms.

The intensity distribution of a holographically-projected optical trap can be tailored to the physical properties of the particles it is intended to trap. Dynamic optimization is especially desirable for manipulating dark-seeking particles that are repelled by conventional optical tweezers, and even more so when dark-seeking particles coexist in the same system as light-seeking particles. We address the need for dexterous manipulation of dark-seeking particles by introducing a class of "dark" traps created from the superposition of two out-of-phase Gaussian modes with different waist diameters. Interference in the difference-of-Gaussians (DoG) trap creates a dark central core that is completely surrounded by light and therefore can trap dark-seeking particles rigidly in three dimensions. DoG traps can be combined with conventional optical tweezers and other types of traps for use in heterogeneous samples. The ideal hologram for a DoG trap being purely real-valued, we introduce a general method based on the Zernike phase-contrast principle to project real-valued holograms with the phase-only diffractive optical elements used in standard holographic optical trapping systems. We demonstrate the capabilities of DoG traps (and Zernike holograms) through experimental studies on high-index, low-index and absorbing colloidal particles dispersed in fluid media.

Wild bee larval food composition in five European cities.

Urbanization poses threats and opportunities for the biodiversity of wild bees. At the same time, cities can harbor diverse wild bee assemblages, partly due to the unique plant assemblages that provide resources. While bee dietary preferences have been investigated in various studies, bee dietary studies have been conducted mostly in nonurban ecosystems and data based on plant visitation observations or palynological techniques. This data set describes the larval food preferences of four wild bee species (i.e., Chelostoma florisomne, Hylaeus communis, Osmia bicornis, and O. cornuta) common in urban areas in five different European cities (i.e., Antwerp, Belgium; Paris, France; Poznan, Poland; Tartu, Estonia; and Zurich, Switzerland). In addition, the data set describes the larval food preferences of individuals from three wild bee genera (i.e., Chelostoma sp., Hylaeus sp., and Osmia sp.) that could not be identified to the species level. These data were obtained from a Europe‐level study aimed at understanding the effects of urbanization on biodiversity across different cities and cityscapes and a Swiss project aimed at understanding the effects of urban ecosystems in wild bee feeding behavior. Wild bees were sampled using standardized trap nests at 80 sites (32 in Zurich and 12 in each of the remaining cities), selected following a double gradient of available habitat at local and landscape scales. Larval pollen was obtained from the bee nests and identified using DNA metabarcoding. The data provide the plant composition at the species or genus level preferred by each bee. These unique data can be used for a wide array of research questions, including urban ecology (e.g., diversity of food sources along urban gradients), bee ecology (characterization of bee feeding preferences), or comparative studies on the urban evolution of behavioral traits between urban and nonurban sites. In addition, the data can be used to inform urban planning and conservation strategies, particularly concerning flower resources (e.g., importance of exotic species and, thus, management activities). This data set can be freely used for noncommercial purposes, and this data paper should be cited if the data is used; we request that collaboration with the data set contact person to be considered if this data set represents an important part of the data analyzed in a study.

A novel optical sensor system for the automatic classification of mosquitoes by genus and sex with high levels of accuracy

BackgroundEvery year, more than 700,000 people die from vector-borne diseases, mainly transmitted by mosquitoes. Vector surveillance plays a major role in the control of these diseases and requires accurate and rapid taxonomical identification. New approaches to mosquito surveillance include the use of acoustic and optical sensors in combination with machine learning techniques to provide an automatic classification of mosquitoes based on their flight characteristics, including wingbeat frequency. The development and application of these methods could enable the remote monitoring of mosquito populations in the field, which could lead to significant improvements in vector surveillance.MethodsA novel optical sensor prototype coupled to a commercial mosquito trap was tested in laboratory conditions for the automatic classification of mosquitoes by genus and sex. Recordings of > 4300 laboratory-reared mosquitoes of Aedes and Culex genera were made using the sensor. The chosen genera include mosquito species that have a major impact on public health in many parts of the world. Five features were extracted from each recording to form balanced datasets and used for the training and evaluation of five different machine learning algorithms to achieve the best model for mosquito classification.ResultsThe best accuracy results achieved using machine learning were: 94.2% for genus classification, 99.4% for sex classification of Aedes, and 100% for sex classification of Culex. The best algorithms and features were deep neural network with spectrogram for genus classification and gradient boosting with Mel Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients among others for sex classification of either genus.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first time that a sensor coupled to a standard mosquito suction trap has provided automatic classification of mosquito genus and sex with high accuracy using a large number of unique samples with class balance. This system represents an improvement of the state of the art in mosquito surveillance and encourages future use of the sensor for remote, real-time characterization of mosquito populations.Graphical abstract

Tests of durable Nzi traps for horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the United States of America, the Sudan, and the Philippines

AbstractDurable materials for Nzi traps were tested in three applied settings based on promising formats that were tested first in Canada. Experiments were conducted at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States of America at the site of a major tabanid control programme and at two challenging tropical locations (Sudan and Philippines) where mechanical transmission of trypanosomiasis occurs. At Cape Cod, royal blue–painted plywood Nzi traps caught up to 19 times as many tabanids as greenhead box traps used locally did. Fabric Nzi traps caught up to six times more horseflies,Tabanusspp. (Diptera: Tabanidae), than a box trap did and twice as many horseflies than a popular commercial trap, the Horse Pal®did. A home-dyed phthalogen turquoise cotton trap also performed well. In the Philippines, it caught 2.5 times as manyTabanusas a standard phthalogen blue cotton trap did. Durable phthalogen blue Sunbrella acrylic and Top Notch polyester traps with various types of netting performed well at all locations.

Optical power scale realization using the predictable quantum efficient detector

We report realization of scales for optical power of lasers and spectral responsivity of laser power detectors based on a predictable quantum efficient detector (PQED) over the spectral range of 400 nm–800 nm. The PQED is characterized and used to measure optical power of a laser that is further used in calibration of the responsivities of a working standard trap detector at four distinct laser lines, with an expanded uncertainty of about 0.05%. We present a comparison of responsivities calibrated against the PQED at Aalto and the cryogenic radiometer at RISE, Sweden. The measurement results support the concept that the PQED can be used as a primary standard of optical power.

Occurrence and Habitat Use of Non-native Small Mammals in Upland Urban-Forest Environment in Northern Philippines

In the Philippines, few researches have been conducted about small mammals in urban areas at high elevation, where forests remain and non-native pest species can proliferate. Previous studies in Baguio City, Benguet Province reported three non-native species. This study extended these prior surveys by sampling in 13 localities, employing standard trapping method to document the distribution of species in an urban-forest setting. In 4,711 trap nights, 94 individuals were captured, consisting of four non-native species: Rattus exulans, Rattus tanezumi, Mus musculus, and Suncus murinus. Analysis of occurrence and relative abundance of species showed that small mammal distribution varied among the habitats, and appeared that variation may have been related to differences in vegetation structure or a habitat’s disturbance level. Rattus tanezumi was the most widespread, being especially common in backyard farms and in the public market. Suncus murinus was also widespread but less abundant than R. tanezumi. Rattus exulans was uncommon and restricted to certain area of a given habitat, particularly preferring weed-dominated areas. These suggest that non-native species are common and widespread in urban-forest setting but with apparent habitat preferences. The non-detection of native species is notable, suggesting that thorough studies can be done in the future.

Assessing Anopheles vector species diversity and transmission of malaria in four health districts along the borders of C\xf4te d\u2019Ivoire

BackgroundAlthough malaria and Anopheles mosquito vectors are highly prevalent in Côte d’Ivoire, limited data are available to help understand the malaria vector density and transmission dynamics in areas bordering the country. To address this gap, the Anopheles mosquito species diversity, the members of the Anopheles gambiae complex and the transmission of malaria were assessed in four health districts along the borders of Côte d’Ivoire.MethodsFrom July 2016 through December 2016 and July 2017 through December 2017, adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected in four health districts of Côte d’Ivoire (Aboisso, Bloléquin, Odienné and Ouangolodougou) using standardized window exit trap (WET) and pyrethrum knockdown spray collection (PSC) methods. The collected mosquitoes were identified morphologically at species level and the members of the An. gambiae complex were separated using short interspersed nuclear element-based polymerase chain reaction (SINE-PCR). Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.), Anopheles funestus s.l. and Anopheles nili specimens were analysed for malaria Plasmodium parasite detection using the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COX-I), and malaria prevalence among human population through local Ministry of Health (MoH) statistical yearbooks.ResultsA total of 281 female Anopheles were collected in Aboisso, 754 in Bloléquin, 1319 in Odienné and 2443 in Ouangolodougou. Seven Anopheles species were recorded including An. gambiae s.l. (94.8–99.1%) as the main vector, followed by An. funestus s.l. (0.4–4.3%) and An. nili (0–0.7%). Among An. gambiae s.l., Anopheles coluzzii represented the predominant species in Aboisso (89.2%) and Bloléquin (92.2%), while An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) was the major species in Odienné (96.0%) and Ouangolodougou (94.2%). The Plasmodium sporozoite infection rate in An. gambiae s.l. was highest in Odienné (11.0%; n = 100) followed by Bloléquin (7.8%, n = 115), Aboisso (3.1%; n = 65) and Ouangologoudou (2.5%; n = 120). In An. funestus s.l., Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection rate was estimated at 6.2% (n = 32) in Bloléquin, 8.7% (n = 23) in Odienné. No An. funestus s.l. specimens were found infected with P. falciparum sporozoite infection in Ouangolodougou and Aboisso. No P. falciparum sporozoite was detected in An. nili specimens in the four health districts. Among the local human populations, malaria incidence was higher in Odienné (39.7%; n = 45,376) and Bloléquin (37.6%; n = 150,205) compared to that in Ouangolodougou (18.3%; n = 131,629) and Aboisso (19.7%; n = 364,585).ConclusionAnopheles vector species diversity, abundance and Plasmodium sporozoite infection were high within the health districts along the borders of the country of Côte d’Ivoire, resulting in high malaria transmission among the local populations. Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus s.l. were found to be highly infected with Plasmodium in the health districts of Bloléquin and Odienné where higher malaria incidence was observed than the other districts. This study provides important information that can be used to guide Côte d’Ivoire National Malaria Control Programme for vector control decision-making, mainly in districts that are at the country borders.

Three years of surveillance associates agro-environmental factors with wireworm infestations in Manitoba, Canada.

Wireworms, the soil-dwelling larvae of click beetles, are a major threat to global agricultural production. This is largely due to their generalist polyphagous feeding capabilities, extended and cryptic life cycles, and limited management options available. Although wireworms are well-documented as economically important pests in the Canadian Prairies, including Manitoba, there are gaps in knowledge on species distributions, subterranean behaviour and life cycles, feeding ecology and damage capacity, and economic thresholds for crop yield loss. We carried out 3 years (2018-2020) of intensive surveillance of larval populations across Manitoba. A total of 31 fields (24 in ≥ 2 consecutive years) were surveyed in early spring using standardized bait trapping approaches. Wireworms were present in 94% of surveyed sites, but the catch within fields varied year to year. While Hypnoidus bicolor predominated (94% of larvae), several other pest species were identified. We then explored the relationships between wireworm trap numbers and agro-environmental factors. The larval catch tended to decrease under conditions of low soil temperatures and increased clay content, coupled with high soil moisture and precipitation during the trapping period. Treatment and cultural methods appeared less influential; however, wheat production in either of the previous two growing seasons was associated with increased wireworm catch. Our models failed to predict a relationship between wireworm catch and crop yields, although infestations were rare in our region. Our findings better infer the risks posed by wireworms to crop production in the Canadian Prairies, and the agro-environmental factors that represent the greatest contributors to these risks. This information should be incorporated into future integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for wireworms. © 2021 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Pest Management Science © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Analysis of Toxic Metals in Aerosols from Devices Associated with Electronic Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use Associated Lung Injury.

Research gaps exist in toxic metals characterization in e-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs) as these analytes typically have low concentrations and most standard aerosol trapping techniques have high metals background. An additional complication arises from differences in the EVP liquid formulations with nicotine products having polar properties and non-nicotine products often being non-polar. Differences in polar and non-polar matrices and the subsequent aerosol chemistries from various EVPs required modifications of our previously reported nicotine-based EVP aerosol method. Validation and application of the expanded method, suitable for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic aerosols, are reported here. The metals analyzed for this study were Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Sn, Ba, and Pb. The method limits of detection for the modified method ranged from 0.120 ng/10 puffs for Cd to 29.3 ng/10 puffs for Al and were higher than reported for the previous method. Results of the analyses for metals in aerosols obtained from 50 EVP products are reported. Cannabinoid based EVP aerosols were below reportable levels, except for one sample with 16.08 ng/10 puffs for Cu. Nicotine-based EVP results ranged from 6.72 ng/10 puffs for Pb to 203 ng/10 puffs for Sn. Results of the analyses for these metals showed that aerosols from only 5 of the 50 devices tested had detectable metal concentrations. Concentrations of toxic elements in the aerosols for nicotine-based EVP aerosol metal concentration ranges were consistent with previously published results of aerosol analyses from this class of devices.