A new approach to determine the capture conditions of bark beetles in pheromone-baited traps

Abstract

Forests form an organic unity with a great number of organic and inorganic components and tend to maintain the sustainability of their existing balance. However, some factors which adversely affect the balance of nature may interrupt this sustainability. The epidemic which is formed by bark beetles in their spreading region, due to various factors, changes the stability so much that interference is required. One of the most common methods used to monitor these beetles is pheromone-baited traps. The recognition of parameters, such as date (day/month/year), temperature and humidity, when bark beetles are captured in pheromone-baited traps, especially those used for monitoring will help to increase the trap efficiency on land and to develop an effective strategy for combating pests. In this study, an electronic control unit was added to pheromone-baited traps in order to obtain all of the above mentioned parameters. This unit operates with microcontrollers and data related to the parameters is saved in a storage unit. This is triggered by the beetle at the moment it is captured in the trap. A photovoltaic system was used to meet the energy needed for the system functioning and to complete the counting process in due time.

Evaluation of the Counting Success of Pheromone-Baited Trap with Electronic Control Unit

“…The recorded parameters were stored as 'Comma separated CSV' file within the microSD card using a microcontroller. The photovoltaic system was utilized in order to meet the energy required for the unit and to carry out the counting process completely in the pre-determined duration 25 ( Figure 1). The designed pheromone baited trap with ECU is hung on a single metal post PV module used to meet the energy need of the system when the sun is effective or not I. sexdentatus was preferred for the study, as it is easy to obtain.…”

“…The ECU (see Ozcan et al 25 for details) was set up using the required equipment and a prototype mechanism was developed for the pheromone-baited trap. A laser scanning application (laser diode, photocell, etc.)…”

“…The traps that are used nowadays provide information only on the number of beetles that are captured depending on the control intervals. No information is provided about temperature and humidity parameters at the exact time of capture 25 . Bark beetles, which can lead to limited or extensive number of tree deaths in large areas due to their outbreaks under suitable conditions, cause serious losses in forests.…”

“…However, effective management pest control to ensure sustainability of a healthy ecosystem is important in terms of future existence of forests. A pheromone-baited trap with electronic control unit (ECU) has been designed to study bark beetle ecology and biology; and to develop management strategies for the targeted species, and to record the number of captured beetles as well as other important parameters during their time of capture (date, day, year, hour, temperature and humidity) 25 . In this study, the quantitative performance of the designed pheromone-baited trap with ECU has been evaluated.…”

Ips sexdentatus’un Anadolu Karaçamı Ağaçlarındaki Nem İçeriğine Etkisi

“…Also the species use logs in forest depot as host (Akbulut et al, 2008). The usage of pheromone traps and biotechnical control are important measures against these beetle (Bakke, 1991;Suckling and Karg 2000;Anonymous, 2007;Özcan et al, 2011;2014) along with the removal of dead or dried trees next to healthy stands (Fernández Fernández, 2006).…”