Influence of Trap Placement and Design on Capture of the Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

The key to all effective pest management program for the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera Buprestidae), is a survey program equipped with tools for detecting and delimiting populations. We studied the effects of trap design, color, and placement on the efficacy of sticky traps for capturing the emerald ash borer. There were significant differences in trap catch along a transect gradient from wooded to open field conditions, with most beetles being caught along the edge, or in open fields, 15-25 in outside all ash (Fraxinus spp. L.) (Oleaceae) woodlot. Greater emerald ash borer catch occurred oil purple traps than oil red or white traps. Traps placed ill the mid-canopy of ash trees (13 m) caught significantly more beetles than those placed at ground level. We also describe a new trap design, a three-sided prism trap, which is relatively easy to assemble and deploy.