Efficiency of sticky traps for monitoring aphids in wheat under North-Western Plains and Peninsular zones of India

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of most effective trap among two types of sticky traps of, i.e., card or tray of two colours (yellow and blue) and their placement height within wheat crop for catching alate of R. maidis, the most abundant aphid species in selected locations. Methodology: Sticky card and tray traps of two colours; yellow and blue were placed at different heights within wheat crop and the effects of trap parameters (type, colour and height) were evaluated to determine the trapping efficiency of R. maidis alate. The traps were installed at two heights above ground level; 100 cm and 150 cm at Karnal and Ludhiana and at 60 cm and 120 cm above ground level at Niphad location. Alate aphid counts were recorded weekly to make comparisons. Results: The highest number of R. maidis alate were caught on yellow coloured sticky card traps placed within the crop canopy at 100 cm height above ground and the lowest on blue coloured sticky tray traps at 150 cm height above ground at Ludhiana and Karnal. At Niphad, the highest population was caught on yellow coloured sticky card traps placed at 60 cm height above ground and the lowest number on blue coloured sticky tray traps at 120 cm height above ground. Correlation analysis revealed that all three trap parameters (trap type, colour and placement height) were correlated with mean alate trap catches. Backward stepwise regression modelling indicated that trap type and placement height had a maximum influence on the R. maidis alate trapping. Interpretation: This study indicated that the yellow sticky card traps were most effective in catching R. maidis alate as compared to other tested traps. Key words: Aphids, Insect sampling, Trapping efficiency, Trap parameters, Triticum aestivum