Efficiency of different light sources in light traps in monitoring insect diversity

Abstract :

Field observations were undertaken at weekly interval (standard week), during 2007-08 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for studying the effect of three light sources in light traps (viz., mercury, black and ultra violet) on insect catch and their relationship with weather parameters. Results when analysed revealed that coleopterans dominate the catches, followed by hemipterans, hymenopterans and lepidopterans. The mercury light was more efficient for Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Odonata, and Diptera and while black light was more efficient for Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Isoptera, and Dictyoptera. Similar attractiveness to the mercury and black light sources were found for coleopterans. Coleopterans were equally attracted to mercury and black light sources. Average temperature showed significant relationship with coleopterans, lepidopterans and hemipterans when all insect traps were considered together


Keyword :

Mercury light trap, black light trap, ultra violet light trap, insects, population, climatic factors


Author(s) : Ramamurthy, V. V., Akhtar, M. S., Patankar, N. V., Menon, P., Kumar, R., Singh, S. K., Ayri, S., Parveen, S., Mittal, V.
Downloads : 5039
Published Issue : 2010 Vol. 5 Number 1


2010 Vol. 5 Number 1