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The efficiency of artificial wingbeat sounds for capturing midges in black light traps

1999; Wiley; Volume: 92; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1570-7458.1999.00542.x

1570-7458

Kimio Hirabayashi, Kenichi Ogawa,

Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Abstract This study was conducted to develop a new method to control adult Chironomus plumosus (L.) midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) using their acoustic responses to sound + light traps in the field. Trials were conducted from June 10 to June 27, 1996 near the hyper‐eutrophic Lake Suwa in central Japan. In cylindrical sound traps, optimal trapping of swarming males occurred at frequencies of 270–300 Hz at 22.5 °C. This effect was significantly enhanced using a sound trap equipped with a black light lamp. The mean number of midges captured by sound + light trap was about 4.5 times the number of midges caught by either light or sound trap alone. In conclusion, the application of audio‐frequency sounds combined with attraction to light for chironomid midge control seems to be quite feasible, assuming the availability of a suitable collecting device.