Method and apparatus for trapping flying insects exhibiting phototropic

Abstract

The present invention provides a trapping method and trap apparatus for flying insects exhibiting phototropic behavior, particularly gypsy moths. The trap is designed to utilize the insect's phototropic reaction both (a) to aid in inducing it to enter into an enclosure or trap and (b) to keep it inside away from the opening or openings for a sufficient time for a volatile insecticide within the trap to kill the insect. The trap includes a housing formed, in an upper part, from light-transmissive material with at least one opening defined in the housing below its light-transmissive portion. An insect is lured into the housing through the opening primarily by a female sex attractant, and also is lured by the illumination entering through the light-transmissive top, and once inside, is attracted upwardly towards the top of the housing and away from the opening by light entering through the light-transmissive top of the housing. The longitudinal axis of the housing is vertical, and the opening or openings in the housing are preferably facing upwardly (either vertically upwardly or upwardly at an angle) for each defining an insect entry path having a vertical or upward angular component relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A light-transmissive obstruction surface may be provided spaced above the opening(s), to further reduce the possibility of an insect escaping down and out through an opening before the insecticide has taken effect. The opaque sidewall of the housing plus an opaque shed-like shade rim over each opening serve to channel the transmitted light downwardly from the light-transmissive portion of the housing through each opening for enhancing the attractiveness to a phototropic flying insect of the upwardly directed opening.