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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242836
Title: Feeding attractant lures to trap moths under the Alaska midnight sun

Author
item Pantoja, Alberto
item Landolt, Peter
item Hagerty, Aaron
item Emmert, Susan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sampling moths in Alaska can be difficult due to the long days and short nights that might affect noctuid activity and capture. This trial was established to study noctuid activity in interior Alaska (20:04, light:dark cycle). Universal moth traps (UniTrap®, white bucket, yellow cone, green lid) were set in an agricultural area near the University of Alaska, Georgeson Botanical Garden in Fairbanks, Alaska. Traps were loaded with 10 ml of a multi-component floral-based lure (phenylacetaldehyde, methyl salicylate, methyl-2-methoxy benzoate, and beta myrcene). Traps were hung at a height of 1 to 1.5 m and inspected every hour during a 24 hour sampling period. Four hundred and forty moths were captured to include ten species of Noctuidae. Seventy percent of the specimens were collected between midnight and 03:00 hours. Forty four percent of the specimens were captured after sunset. Adult capture after sunrise was 3.6%. This information will assist in refining sampling techniques for noctuids of economic importance in Alaska.