Justice, T. C. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2023

Trapping the exotic weevil Cnestus mutilatus with Isopropanol

The ambrosia beetle Cnestus mutilatus Blandford, 1894 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) is native to Asia and is currently an exotic species in North America. This study tested whether this species can be trapped with isopropanol as bait. Lindgren multiple-funnel traps were deployed in the piedmont of south-central Virginia, USA. The experimental traps had isopropanol in the collection cups. For comparison, other traps had ethanol or soapy water. Both alcohols were effective for trapping C. mutilatus. More specimens were captured using ethanol. Isopropanol and ethanol may play similar roles in the chemical ecology of ambrosia beetles.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2021

Insect attraction to the six major types of traditional-style, residential light bulbs and implications for insect survival and light pollution

Artificial light at night can affect the behavior and survival of the arthropods attracted to it. Most light pollution research focuses on high-wattage street lamps, but lower-wattage lamps used to illuminate porches, paths, facades, and backyards vastly outnumber street lamps. Thus, residential consumers could potentially have an enormous influence on artificial light ecologies by their choice of lamp. This study compared insect attraction to the six major types of traditional-style, residential light bulb: incandescent, CFL, halogen, warm color temperature LED, cool color temperature LED, and the yellow "bug" lights marketed as reducing insect attraction. The bulbs were alternately used in a baffle-funnel light trap from early spring through late fall, and capture rates were determined for the orders of insects. Incandescent bulbs produced the highest trap captures; the warm color temperature LED bulb produced the fewest, even fewer than the yellow "bug" light. The yellow "bug" light attracted more Dermaptera (Leach) than the other bulbs. The data support a recommendation of LED bulbs, especially those with a warm color temperature, to minimize the effects of night lighting on insect behavior and mortality. Further, the use of yellow "bug" lights, in contrast to their marketing, could attract earwigs and other minor pests.

ecology↗