Evaluation of the Counting Success of Pheromone-Baited Trap with Electronic Control Unit

Abstract

Pheromone-baited traps are used to monitor bark beetle adult populations for pest management. In the present study, beetles have been counted using a pheromone-baited trap prototype, with electronic control unit. The recording success of their instant date, hour, temperature and humidity parameters have been evaluated. In the tests, 87.1% of the beetles has been counted and recorded. The reliability of the instant parameters has been verified with external equipment. Although the counting success ratios of the tests conducted in dark and under daylight conditions vary in a statistically significant manner, they are close to each other, i.e. 83.7% and 90.2% respectively. A statistically significant difference has not been detected between the counting success of these throwing frequencies, and the counting success ratios vary between 80.7% and 91.8%. When the beetles were thrown by groups of two, three and four in the trap at the same, it has also been found that at least 83.3% of the beetles can be counted successfully in the tests.