Unique trapping methods help NB researchers potentially ward off infestations

Natural Resources Canada researchers in Fredericton are employing a wide array of methods to figure out how best to trap various insects — invasive species such as types of beetles are their main focus.

In their eight years of research, they’ve started noticing patterns which could help ward off problems with infestation, should the issue arise.

READ MORE: NB Scientists staying ahead of invasive insect with devastating potential

“We’re testing things like plant volatiles…and we’re trying different colours,” said Jon Sweeney of Natural Resources Canada.

“We noticed early on that in our black traps we were getting very few jewel beetles,” explained Sweeney. “We found that green traps and purple traps also attracted other species of jewel beetles.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We noticed early on that in our black traps we were getting very few jewel beetles," explained Sweeney. "We found that green traps and purple traps also attracted other species of jewel beetles."

Using different attractants like pheromones, scents, uniquely coloured traps and more, the researchers are able to see what types of beetle are most attracted to the various attractants.

And combining their uses is said to have an exponentially positive impact.

“If you put a pheromone on you catch quite a few but if you combine it with what the plant smells like, we get even more beetles and we get greater numbers of particular species we’re aiming for.”

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The newest addition to the research was adding L.E.D. lights to some of the traps which are powered and charged by solar panels throughout the day.

The thought is that the illumination might help to entice beetles that fly at night.

That data will be compiled soon as the seasons shift, hopefully lending even more results than before, and ultimately increasing the ability to better prepare for and ward off infestation.

“The more species diversity we can get in our traps the more likely we’ll pick up, detect the presence of a non-native species that may have come here accidentally,” explained Sweeney.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The more species diversity we can get in our traps the more likely we'll pick up, detect the presence of a non-native species that may have come here accidentally," explained Sweeney.

“The earlier you pick up a beetle, detect its presence, the more we can manage it, maybe contain its spread.”

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