A mechanically operated insect trap

Historic, Archive Document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

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January 1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE y dEPT- AGRICULTURE
2( _ Agricultural Research Service yf HATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRART

^ MECHANICALLY OPERATED INSECT TRA^j

JUL 1 0 1969

^ 1
L. G. Schoenleber and B. J./ Landis

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CURRENT SERIAL RECORDS

Insect traps are valuable research tools for determining when infestations occur and which
species of insects are present. Insects can be controlled more readily when their populations,
species, and flight habits are known.

The trap described in this publication was designed for use by entomologists to study the
flight habits of insects, particularly the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). This report
describes its design, construction, and operation. The trap consists essentially of (a) a baffle,
painted chrome yellow to attract aphids, (b) a collection device, (c) a mechanically operated
device to collect Insects in separate containers for specified time periods, and (d) a mounting
frame.

The trap operates on the principle that certain insects are attracted to a yellow painted sur-
face. Insects fly against one of the four yellow baffle plates, then fall through a concentration
funnel into a 4-oz. glass bottle containing a preservative. Twenty-eight bottles are placed in
holders near the edge of a turntable. At the end of each hour, a clock mechanism operates a
release mechanism to allow a torque-loaded turntable to rotate, so that a different bottle moves
into the collection position. The trap will operate at least 24 hours before servicing is required.

The trap was designed so that it would;

1. Attract and catch insects, particularly the green peach aphid.

2. Collect insects and hold them for later identification.

3. Collect insects in such manner that they will not be mutilated or destroyed.

4. Be usable all year round in all kinds of weather (rain, wind, low and high temperatures).

5. Be suitable for use in remote locations, with self-contained mechanical power.

6. Collect insects in a separate container each hour.

7. Include from 24 to 30 containers.

8. Have adjustment for raising or lowering trap from ground.

9. Have attachment to cover trap if needed to protect from wind and rain.

10. Require servicing only once each day.

11. Be compact, easily moved and assembled.

12. Have windows for viewing the catch of insects.

^Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Engineering Research Division, and Entomologist, Entomology Research
Division, Agricultiural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Yakima, Wash., respectively.

HOW TRAP OPERATES

TRAP-DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND ASSEMBLY

An assembled trap ready for use is shown in figure 1. It is mounted on a wooden platform
which is staked rigidly to the ground. The painted baffles are adjusted in the lowest position to
catch low-flying insects. The funnel and cover plate shown in figure 2 are in a lifted position
away from the collecting bottles, to provide a view of the arrangement for the various parts.
Detail and assembled drawings of the trap are shown in plates 1 through 10.

Figure 1. — Insect trap in operation.

Figure 2. — View of insect trap partially assembled.

PRECAUTIONS FOR PROPER TRAP OPERATION

•Clearance between the bottles and cover plate should be a minimum 1/32 to 3/64 inch;
otherwise, losses of insects may occur. The bottles must not rub on the cover plate or the table
will not rotate properly.

•Make the turntable and cover plate flat in a way to prevent warping.

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ASSEMBLED iNSECT TRAP

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SUPPORT BASE SIDE VIEW

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SUPPORT BASE TOP VIEW

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CLOCK ASSEMBLY ON MAIN FRAME TOP VIEW

CLOCK ASSEMBLY ON MAIN FRAME SIDE VIEW

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TURNTABLE COVER TOP VIEW

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*The outside cover should clear the turntable to prevent rubbing.

• Spring tension on the trip arms should not be excess or it will prevent the low-powered
clock from operating properly.

• The trip arms in a holding position to prevent turntable rotation must be 1/32 to 1/16 inch
beyond dead center. This will prevent the turntable from getting out of time.

• To insure optimum performance of the insect trap, the clock case should be sealed to ex-
clude dust and moisture.

•Glass bottles should be of the same size. Gaging each bottle before use can prevent later
trouble in trap operation.

• The trap should be staked to the ground with the turntable rotating in a horizontal position
to prevent misalinement or movement by wind.

•All moving parts must be kept free of rust when exposed to wet weather and moisture con-
densation.

•Liquid used in the collection bottles for preserving the insects during trap operation should
be nonevaporative during hot weather and free flowing during freezing weather. A 3-percent
formaldehyde solution was used in the summer and an automotive antifreeze solution in the winter.

INSECTS CAUGHT IN TRAP

During a 6-month period starting in May 1967, over 8,300 insects were caught. This occurred
with the trap located at the Yakima, Wash., USDA experiment plot area and in orchards in the
immediate vicinity. The highest number of insects caught in any 1-hour period was 314.

Many kinds of insects were attracted to the yellow baffle plates. Possibly, some Insects were
captured because of random flights.

The species of insects captured and identified are listed below. A small number of insects
captured were not identified.

Aphids: Phorodon humuli (Schrank)

Rhopa losiphoninus latysiphon (Davidson)

Acyrthosiphon solani (Kaltenbach) Rhopalosiphum fitchii (Sanderson)

Nearctaphis bakerl (Cowen) Hyadaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis)

Aphis fabae Scopoli

Aphis pomi DeGeer Other insects:

Aphodius spp. I

Aleyrodes spiracoides Quaintance
Apis mellifera L.

Meloidae

Carabidae

Thaumatomyia glabra (Meigen)
Coccinella transversoguttata '
Falderman

Crlocerls asparagl (L.)

Brachycaudus persicae (Passerini)
Brevicoryne brasslcae (L. )
Cavariella aegopodli (Scopoli)
Eriosome crataegi (Oestlund)
Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.)
Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas)
Myzocallis robiniae (Gillette)
Myzus persicae (Sulzer)

Ovatus crataegarlus (Walker)
Pemphigus spp.

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Pyrrhalta luteola (Muller)

Geocoris spp.

Hippodamia convergens Guerin - Meneville
Kenolla Confluens (Uhler)

Lachesella pedicularia (L.)

Lygus spp,

Melanopthalma amerlcana (Mannerheim)
Clcadellidae

Nabidae

Negastrius gentilis (Le Conte)
Orius tristicolor (White)
Anthocoris spp.

Pentatomldae
Reduvidae
Scymnus spp.

Staphylinidae

materials'

1 clock with metal case. Taylor Instrument Co., Rochester, N.Y. No. 83S98-5C, metal case and

cover No. 83-81 80K. Instrument-type clock with 24-hour spring wind, 2 hours per revolution
of drive shaft. Drive shaft rotates clockwise when facing shaft. Clock mechanism is con-
ditioned for low temperature. Plate 3.

28 screw-top glass'bottles and caps. Bottles 1 1/4 in. square, 4 3/8 in. tall with 3/4-in. -diameter
opening, 4-oz. capacity. (Caps are needed to retain contents when bottles are removed from
insect trap.) Figure 1.

8 feet 1/4-in. nylon cord. Figure 1.

2 bearings, Fafnir #RA 1 1/16-in. with flangette sideplates. Part D, Plate 5.

2 coil-tension springs, 6 1/2 in. long, 1/4 in. outside diameter, 1/32-in, diameter wire, 30 coils
per inch. Plate 3.

1 two-pound weight with hook, for rotating turntable. Figure 1.

1 pint chrome yellow implement enamel, for baffles and inside of cone.

1 quart gray paint, for trap parts not painted yellow.

2 steel pipe caps, 3/4-in. standard pipe. Plate 2 (caps shown welded to base).

3/4-in. standard pipe, threaded ends. 72 in. long for two frame members, Plate 2.

Steel tubing, 3/4 in. O.D. x 1/2 in. I.D.^ x 4 3/16 in. long for 2 pieces. Parts A and B, Plate 4.
Steel tubing, 13/8 in. O.D. x 1 1/16 in. I.D, x 26 1/4 in, long for 3 pieces. Plates 3 and 7.

Steel tubing, 4 1/2 in. O.D. x 4 in. I. D. x 4 in. long. Part A, Plates 5 and 6.

Steel tubing, 4 3/4 in. O.D. x 4 1/2 in. I.D. x 3 15/16 in. long. Part B, Plates 5 and 6.

Steel tubing, square, 3/4 in. x 1/16 in. wall x 44 1/4 in. long for 2 pieces, Plate 8.

Steel tubing, square, 1 in. x 1/16 in. wall x 44 1/4 in. long for 3 pieces. Plates 3 and 7.

Steel tubing, square, 11/4 in. x 1/16 in. wall x 34 in. long. Plate 2.

Steel tubing, square, 1 1/4 in x 1/8 in. wall x 6 in. long. Plate 1.

Steel tubing, square, 2 in. x 3/32 in. wall x 84 in. long for 28 holders. Plate 10.

Steel bar, 2 1/2 in. diameter x 1 5/8 in. long. Part A, Plate 7.

Sheet metal, 26 gage, 36 1 /2 in. x 36 1/2 in. (one piece), for cone. Plate 8,

Sheet metal, 26 gage, 12 in. x 12 in. (4 pieces), for deflectors. Plate 8.

Angle steel, 1 1/2 in. x 1 1/2 in. x 1/8 in. x 48 in. long for 2 pieces. Plate 2.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 3/4 in x 58 3/4 in. for cone band and rim brackets. Plates 8 and 9.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 1 in. x 14 1/2 in. for 2 pieces. Part C, Plate 4; Part B, Plate 9.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 1 1/2 in. x 4 3/4 in. Part G, Plates 3 and 4.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 1 3/4 in. x 4 in. Part B, Plate 9.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 2 in. x 56 in. for 28 pieces. Plate. 10.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 2 3/8 in. x 2 3/8 in. Part E, Plates 3 and 4.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 4 5/8 in. x 14 in. Plate 7.

^ Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the United
States Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval by the Department to the exclusion of other prod-
ucts that may also be suitable,

^O.D. is outside diameter, I.D. is inside diameter.

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Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 6 1/4 in. x 6 1/4 in., for ring. Part B, Plates 5 and 6.

Flat steel, 1/8 in. x 6 in. x 10 1/2 in. Part D, Plate 4.

Flat steel, 3/16 in. x 1 in. x 25 1/2 in., for 3 pieces. Parts A, B, and D., Plate 4.

Flat steel, 3/16 in. x 5 3/8 in. x 5 3/8 in., for ring. Part C, Plates 5 and 6.

Flat steel, 3/16 in. x 22 in. x 22 in. for disc. Part G, Plates 5 and 6.

Flat steel, 1/4 in. x 3/4 in. x 8 3/8 in. Parts A and D, Plate 9.

2 round head stove bolts, 1/8 in. NC'* threads, 9/32 in. long. Part A, Plate 7.

4 round head stove bolts, 3/16 in. NC threads, 5/16 in. long. Plate 7.

1 round head stove bolt, 3/16 in. NC treads, 3/4 in. long. Part B, Plate 6.

4 flat head stove bolts, 3/16 in. NC threads, 3/4 in. long. Parts A, B, and E, Plates 3 and 4.

2 flat head stove bolts, 1/4 in. NC threads, 11/2 in. long, Plate 7.

1 machine bolt, 1/4 in. NC threads x 3/4 in. long. Plate 9, Section A and B.

6 machine bolts, 1/4 in. NC threads x 1 in. long. Plates 3 and 9.

3 machine bolts, 1/4 in. NC threads x 1 1/2 in. long. Plate 3.

2 wing bolts, 5/16 in. NC threads, 1 in. long. Part F, Plates 3 and 4.

1 machine bolt, 5/16 in. NC threads x 6 1/2 in. long. Part H, Plates 3 and 4.

28 steel pins, 1 /8 in. diameter, 1 /2 in. long, Plate 10.

28 stud bolts, with nuts, 1/8 in. NC threads x 3/4 in. long. Plate 10.

28 stud bolts, 1/4 in. NC threads, 5/8 in. long. Plates 5 and 6.

3 stud bolts, with nuts, 5/16 in. NC threads x 5 1/2 in. long. Part F, Plate 5.

1 tinner's rivet, 3/16 in. x 3/8 in. Part E, Plate 5.

1 set screw, 3/16 in. NC threads, 1/4 in. long. Part E, Plates 3 and 4.

4 bronze rollers, 5/8 in. O. D., 3/16 in. I.D., 3/8 in. long. Parts A, B, and E, Plates 3 and 4.

2 grooved rollers, 1 in. O. D., 3/8 in. I.D., 1/2 in. wide. Part I, Plates 3 and 4; Part E, Plates 8

and 9.

1 grooved roller, 2 1/2 in. O.D., 3/8 in. I.D., 1/2 in. wide. Part F, Plates 8 and 9.

3 bronze bushings, 3/8 in. O.D., 1/4 in. I.D. x 9/16 in. long. Part I, Plates 3 and 4; Parts E and

F, Plates 8 and 9.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davis, E. W., and Landis, B. J. An improved trap for collecting aphids, U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr.
Res. Serv. ARS ET-278. 1949.

Davis, R. An apparatus for continuously recording aphid flights from their hosts. Jour. Econ.
Ent. 58(5): 1034-1035. 1965.

Hollingsworth, J, P., Hartsock, J. G., Stanley, J. M. Electric Insect traps for survey purposes.
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. ARS 42-3-1. 1963.

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NC is National Coarse.

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