The soybean aphid suction trap network: Sampling the aerobiological “soup"

Authors: Lagos-Kutz, Doris; VOEGTLIN, DAVID - International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); ONSTAD, DAVID - Dupont Pioneer Hi-Bred; HOGG, DAVID - University Of Wisconsin; RAGSDALE, DAVID - Texas A&M University; TILMON, KELLEY - The Ohio State University; HODGSON, ERIN - Iowa State University; DIFONZO, CHRISTINE - Michigan State University; GROVES, RUSSELL - University Of Wisconsin; KRUPKE, CHRISTIAN - Purdue University; LAFOREST, JOSEPH - University Of Georgia; SEITER, NICHOLAS - University Of Illinois; DUERR, EMILY - University Of Wisconsin; BRADFORD, BENJAMIN - University Of Wisconsin; Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: American Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/21/2020
Publication Date: 3/12/2020
Citation: Lagos-Kutz, D.M., Voegtlin, D., Onstad, D., Hogg, D., Ragsdale, D., Tilmon, K., Hodgson, E., Difonzo, C., Groves, R., Krupke, C., Laforest, J., Seiter, N.J., Duerr, E., Bradford, B., Hartman, G.L. 2020. The soybean aphid suction trap network: Sampling the aerobiological “soup". American Entomologist. 66(1):48-55. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmaa009.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmaa009

Interpretive Summary: The establishment of a suction trap network in the Midwest to monitor the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines), one of the most devastating invasive insect species to affect soybeans in the USA, is the result of collaborative efforts of researchers, extension specialists and agriculturalists. A voluminous record of sample identifications and observations has been collected and is available (https://suctiontrapnetwork.org/) for viewing through the support of the Southern IPM Center. These data can be used to study the distribution of known insect species and to determine the existence of new or not yet identified species captured by the suction traps. The network, if expanded in geography and scope, could provide much needed long-term data about the biology and distribution of organisms present in the air and captured in these traps.

Technical Abstract: The establishment of a suction trap network in the Midwest to monitor the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura), one of the most devastating invasive insect species to affect soybeans in USA, is the result of collaborative efforts of researchers, extension specialists and agriculturalists. This collaboration has been instrumental to understand the seasonal migration patterns of the soybean aphid. In addition, other insect species in the suction traps have been studied (e.g., thrips and mosquitoes) and stored for future research. The objectives of this feature article are to share the information generated during the operation of the network that started in 2005 with over 14 years of continuous collection and to raise awareness of the importance of this resource for systematic and ecological studies of trapped specimens and their associated microbes. We believe that with additional collaborators and funding, this network could be expanded to provide for long-term aerobiological and ecological studies.