Recording the occurrence of the bean bug Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) (Heteroptera: Alydidae) using an automatic counting trap

Abstract

To save labor for monitoring the occurrence of the bean bug Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg), we used automatic counting traps baited with synthetic attractants from July to December, 2004. This automatic counting trap utilizes a solar battery to work continuously and sends data automatically via a built-in mobile phone. The occurrence of the bugs was also monitored by three water-pan traps. The number of bugs counted automatically and the actual number of catches in the automatic counting trap were not always consistent. One of the reasons for this inconsistency might be due to that the current automatic counting trap could not eject clogged insects in a roller electrode. However, the number of seasonal catches by automatic counting and water-pan traps showed similar trends, and the catch numbers of these traps reached a peak around the same time, in October. Although the automatic counting trap needs improvement, it should be useful for investigating the occurrence of the bean bug population utilizing less labor.