The design of traps for monitoring the presence of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in maize fields

Three types of trap for catching adult Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) were tested in maize fields in Tanzania; a pitfall trap, a “delta” trap and a funnel-shaped flight trap. All traps were baited with a polyethylene vial containing a mixture of trunc-call 1 and trunc-call 2 in the ratio of 1:4 by weight. All three types of trap successfully caught adult P. truncatus but in three separate trials at different locations. the delta and funnel traps caught more than the pitfall trap. It was concluded that the adult beetles fly directly to a source of pheromone, and the most effective trap design is one that catches the flying beetle, and not one that requires the beetle to walk into it.