ARS | Publication request: Arthropod surveillance programs: Basic components, strategies, and analysis

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2012
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Repository URL: http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/aesa/2012/00000105/00000002/art00003
Citation: Cohnstaedt, L.W., Rochon, K., Duehl, A.J., Anderson, J., Barrera, R., Su, N., Gerry, A., Obenauer, P., Campbell, J.F., Lysyk, T., Allan, S.A. 2012. Arthropod surveillance programs: Basic components, strategies, and analysis. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 105:135-149.

Interpretive Summary: Effective insect monitoring stresses a careful consideration to the way insects are captured, the technology to capture them and the way to analyze the results. The basic principles and technological components of insect monitoring plans are described, as promoted in the symposium “Advancements in arthropod monitoring technology, techniques, and analysis” presented at the 58th annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in San Diego, California. Interdisciplinary examples of arthropod monitoring for urban, medical and veterinary applications are reviewed. Effective surveillance consists of the three components: 1) sampling method, 2) trap technology, and 3) analysis technique. A sampling method consists of selecting the best device or collection technique for a specific location and collecting at the proper spatial distribution, optimal duration and frequency to achieve the surveillance objective. Optimized sampling methods are discussed for several mosquitoes and ticks. Trap technology refers to modifications to sampling equipment that increases trap capture efficiency for the targeted arthropod. The advantages and limitations of novel terrestrial and aerial insect traps, artificial pheromones and insect odors are presented for the capture of red flour beetles, small hive beetles, bed bugs, and midges respectively. The objective is to determine what is happening in the real world from the sampled information. Therefore a proper analysis technique is necessary. Examples of this extrapolation and action thresholds are given for termites, red flour beetles and mosquitoes are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Effective entomological surveillance planning stresses a careful consideration of methodology, trapping technologies, and analysis techniques. Herein, the basic principles and technological components of arthropod surveillance plans are described, as promoted in the symposium “Advancements in arthropod monitoring technology, techniques, and analysis” presented at the 58th annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in San Diego, California. Interdisciplinary examples of arthropod monitoring for urban, medical and veterinary applications are reviewed. Arthropod surveillance consists of the three components: 1) sampling method, 2) trap technology, and 3) analysis technique. A sampling method consists of selecting the best device or collection technique for a specific location and collecting at the proper spatial distribution, optimal duration and frequency to achieve the surveillance objective. Optimized sampling methods are discussed for several mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) and ticks (Arachnida: Ixodidae). Trap technology refers to modifications to sampling equipment that increases trap capture efficiency for the targeted arthropod. The advantages and limitations of novel terrestrial and aerial insect traps, artificial pheromones and kairomones are presented for the capture of red flour beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), small hive beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), and Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) respectively. After sampling, extrapolating real world population numbers from trap capture data is possible with the proper analysis techniques. Examples of this extrapolation and action thresholds are given for termites (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae), red flour beetles and mosquitoes are discussed.