Responses of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) to its aggregation pheromones as influenced by trap design, trap height, and habitat

Abstract

Lindgren multiple funnel traps and Japanese beetle traps captured more lesser grain borers, Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), than did Pherocon II sticky traps or bucket traps when all were baited with the same aggregation pheromones. Bucket traps captured six-fold fewer beetles than Lindgren four-unit traps. Retentions of captured R. dominica were not significantly different in traps with soapy water or dry insecticide as killing agents for either trap design but were significantly higher than those retained in traps lacking a killing agent. Lindgren eight-unit funnel traps captured a similar number of R. dominica compared with the four-unit funnel traps. More beetles were captured near grain storage facilities than in forests or in open fields. Trap height (1, 2, or 4 in above the ground) had no detectable effect across habitat but significantly interacted with habitat. Traps placed 1 or 2 in high near grain elevators and in open fields captured similar numbers of beetles and yielded higher catches of R. dominica than traps placed 4 m high in these habitats. The reverse was true in forest habitats. Captured R. dominica were similarly female-biased in all trap designs, and the proportion of females to males did not differ among trap heights or habitats in which they were trapped. © 2005 Entomological Society of America.