Trap Design for Lovebugs, Plecia nearctica (Diptera: Bibionidae)

Abstract

The lovebug, Plecia nearctica Hardy (Diptera: Bibionidae), is an invasive nuisance insect in Florida, USA. We previously showed that the floral compound phenylacetaldehyde (PAA) and yellow color were preferred olfactory and visual stimuli for capturing adult lovebugs. However, suitable designs for a trap have not been investigated. Here, we evaluated 3 basic types of insect traps (sticky, funnel, and interception) for their effectiveness in collecting adult lovebugs under field conditions in central and southern Florida. All traps were yellow or painted yellow and baited with PAA, which was highly attractive to both sexes. Yellow sticky cards orientated vertically were effective, but they quickly filled with lovebugs and were thus unsuitable for extended periods. Of the other commercial traps tested, the Universal moth (Unitrap), Japanese beetle, and modified Lindgren traps were effective, whereas the Delta, Ball (McPhail), boll weevil, fly (baited cup), and stink bug traps were relatively ineffective. Overall, the Unitrap was favored because it potentially can capture many thousands of lovebugs with a low proportion of non-target species (i.e., ≤ 6% of total insects collected), is reuseable for multiple seasons, and potentially can be improved by the addition of fluon or similar non-stick material to the entrance. The lure (polypropylene vial containing 0.75 mL PAA) was attractive to lovebugs for at least 2 wk under field conditions. The position of the lure (inside versus outside the trap) did not statistically affect the effectiveness of the Unitrap. The strategic deployment of lovebug traps is discussed.