Potato Leafhopper Trapping Studies to Determine Local Flight Activity1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Local voluntary flight of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), was investigated to help explain fluctuations in population density, and the postulated relationship between voluntary flight and long-distance involuntary dispersal. Sticky traps associated with alfalfa cutting treatment plots indicated that the pattern of local flight was one of generally low level flight amongst the vegetation, except when the insects were disturbed by some drastic action such as harvesting. Preferences for colored surfaces indicated that yellow was the best color for sticky traps. In 1957, the use of a combination of blacklight and colored fluorescent lamps in paired omnidirectional light traps was no more efficient than use of a single blacklight lamp. In 1958 and 1959, the light trap used was a Shands aphid trap with the top modified for attachment of a metal container with a blacklight lamp and collection jar. Peak light-trap catches were associated with one or more of the following factors: passage of a weather front, harvest of nearby alfalfa, or a major change in the field-population density. The effect of several individual weather factors on light-trap catches was investigated. In 1957 the most important factors affecting light-trap catches were temperature and vapor pressure deficit. In 1958 and 1959, the only important weather factor was the wind. Changes in population density and innate flight behavior appeared to be reflected to a greater extent in the 1958 and 1959 light-trap catches than in the 1957 catches.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: