Importance of visual and chemical cues in the development of an attractant trap for Epicometis (Tropinota) hirta Poda (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2004.02.006
• Publication Date: 2004-05-29T01:10:49Z
• Authors: D Schmera; M Tóth; M Subchev; I Sredkov; I Szarukán; T Jermy; Á Szentesi
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

Abstract Epicometis hirta ( E. hirta ) was attracted to yellow, white or light blue colours in a field test, but with no significant differences between colours. Subsequently light blue traps, which caught the most beetles were used with a chemical (1:1 mixture of cinnamyl alcohol and trans -anethole) stimulus and proved to be suitable for seasonal monitoring of E. hirta , catching both females and males. The sex ratio did not differ in traps with only visual or chemical cues, or with both cues together, and reflected the natural sex ratio of the local population, which showed a decrease in male to female ratio as the season progressed.