Relative efficiency of sticky and cylindrical electrical grid traps in capturingSpodoptera exigua

The relative efficiency of sticky traps and cylindrical electrical grid traps for capturing male beet armyworm moths,Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), was studied using night vision equipment. The sticky and grid traps captured 34 and 40%, respectively, of the insects which oriented to them. The grid trap's capacity was limited only by the size of the receptacle (3.8-liter bucket) at the base of the funnel. The maximum capacity of the sticky trap was ca. 110 insects, and the efficiency of this trap declined rapidly when captures exceeded 50% capacity. This decline was caused by the physical blockage of the sticky surface by the captured insects. There was no evidence to indicate that captured males had any repelling effect on other males subsequently attracted to the sticky trap.