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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #349665
Research Project: Ecology and Control of Insect Vectors

Location: Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research

Title: Key elements of photo attraction bioassays for insect studies or field monitoring programs

Author
item Cohnstaedt, Lee
item DISBERGER, JORDAN - Kansas State University
item Paulsen, Eric
item DUEHL, ADRIAN - Bayer Cropscience

Submitted to: Journal of Visualized Experiments
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2018
Publication Date: 7/26/2018
Citation: Cohnstaedt, L.W., Disberger, J.C., Paulsen, E., Duehl, A. 2018. Key elements of photo attraction bioassays for insect studies or field monitoring programs. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 1:1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/57445

Interpretive Summary: Lights or colored targets can be used as attractants to mosquitoes and therefore will increase insect trapping efficiency by using the target insect’s own behaviors as a means to lure the insect. These targets can be used as population control or mosquito monitoring traps. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have allowed for the creation of customizable lighting options with specific wavelengths (colors), intensities, and bandwidths, all of which can be tuned to the target insects. Photo-attraction behavioral bioassays can use LEDs to optimize the attractive color(s) for an insect species down to specific life history stages or behaviors (mating, feeding, or seeking shelter). Researchers must then confirm the bioassay results in the field and understand the limited attractive distance of the visual attractants.

Technical Abstract: Optimized visual attractants will increase insect trapping efficiency by using the target insect’s innate behaviors (positive photo-taxis) as a means to lure the insect into a population control or monitoring trap. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have created customizable lighting options with specific wavelengths (colors), intensities, and bandwidths, all of which can be customized to the target insects. Photo-attraction behavioral bioassays can use LEDs to optimize the attractive color(s) for an insect species down to specific life history stages or behaviors (mating, feeding, or seeking shelter). Researchers must then confirm the bioassay results in the field and understand the limited attractive distance of the visual attractants.