Co-Authors:
Navon, A., Div. of Entomology, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
A new technique was employed to catch Spodoptera littoralis males, based on coating the polyethylene funnel of a pheromone trap with kaolin. This trap doubled the number of males trapped and increased the fraction of live moths per catch by 20%, compared with an uncoated-funnel trap. At an angle of 60°, males fell off a polyethylene sheet coated with kaolin or talcum, whereas they remained adhered to an uncoated sheet even at 90°. Scanning electron microscope observations showed that leg parts in contact with the kaolin coat are contaminated with free kaolin, which causes the moths to lose contact with the coat and to fall into the trap, whereas without the kaolin coat moths could adhere to the polyethylene. Practical uses of the technique in field traps are discussed. © 1978 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.