Some factors influencing variability in water-trap catches of Tipula spp. (Diptera: Tipulidae)

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Abstract
Experiments were undertaken in July and August 1982 in Northern Ireland to examine the effects of some factors which could influence the number of craneflies caught by water traps. Tipula paludosa Mg. and T. oleracea L. were caught, but the latter only in small numbers. Catches of males of T. paludosa, but not of females, decreased as the height of the trap walls increased. All catches were larger in traps of greater diameter. A significant colour preference was found for males of T. paludosa, in the order green > red > yellow > white > blue > black. Increasing the number of traps per unit area increased the mean catch per trap. It is concluded that the attraction of traps for craneflies, if any, is only slight and that the insects may descend randomly over traps so that greater numbers are caught in wide, low-walled traps. Catch is possibly greatest in green traps because of an inability of craneflies to distinguish them from grass.

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