Comportamiento de una nueva trampa para escarabajos melolontidos 1, destructures de raices

A new trap for melolonthid scarabs, named CSAT-m, is described and studied in order to understand how it works. Eight chemicals from pineapple were evaluated as attractants with this trap, while ripe pineapple was used as control. Temperature of air inside and outside the CSAT-m trap was recorded during the study. The occurrence of a full solar eclipse in the area provided an oportunity to study these temperature differencials, observing a 5°C difference in a short time between inside and outside the trap. Methyl acetate and ethyl acetate were the most volatile of the tested compounds; their use resulted in the most insects captured, specially the melonthids Cotinis mutabilis, Cyclocephalla guttata and Phyllophaga spp. These beetles are important pests because the adults feed on economic fruit and their larvae damage the roots of crops. Highest numbers of insects were attracted and captured when these chemicals were used during sunny days, when more chemicals were dispersed. Trap efficiency should be considered in terms of level of lure dispersion, not just in terms of time of operation.