ARS | Publication request: Evaluation of factors impacting trap captures of red flour beetle

Submitted to: Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 29, 2009
Publication Date: January 15, 2011
Citation: Campbell, J.F. 2011. Evaluation of factors impacting trap captures of red flour beetle. In: Athanassiou, C.G., Adler, C., Trematerra P. (editors). Proceedings of the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants, June 29 - July 2, 2009, Campobasso, Italy. 69: 57-62.

Technical Abstract: An effective monitoring program is the foundation of good Integrated Pest Management programs for food facilities such as mills, processing plants, warehouses, and retail stores. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, is a major stored-product pest of food facilities, especially mills, and a number of pheromone/food based traps are commercially available. Unfortunately, the level of response by adults to these traps is typically not high and appears to be strongly influenced by the internal state of the insect and the environment surrounding the trap. This perceived low effectiveness has limited adoption of pheromone trapping for this pest as part of IPM programs. Recent research on evaluating trap response by red flour beetles adults and some factors that impact the level of response will be presented. The implications of these factors for implementation and interpretation of monitoring programs will also be discussed.