Electrocuting and electronic insect traps: Trapping efficiency and production of airborne particles

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Five electrocuting insect traps were evaluated for their efficiency in eliminating house flies and moths from small premises, and for their production of insect fragments and airborne particles. An electronic trap which kills attracted insects by trapping them on a sticky surface was also included in the study. Airborne particles from the vicinity of traps in operation were collected on microporous filters. All traps performed equally in killing flies and moths. Although numerous moth scales were collected in the air filtrates when the moths were released in the rooms while all traps were off, their numbers increased when traps were turned on. The number of scale fragments significantly increased when electrocuting traps were used, but not with the electronic trap. Numerous spherical particles (diam. < 10 μm) were also collected in air filtrates near electrocuting traps killing moths. In addition to elements found in moths (P, K, Cl, S, Si), particles contained one or more of the metals Zn, Fe, and Cu. The metals in these particles and observed changes of the surface of used grid wires indicated that these spherical particles probably are solidified haemolymph and other body fluids, expelled from the moths as they are heated during electrocution. The generation of airborne particles is important because, in addition to the concerns for food contamination, most insect particles are potential allergens.